London: Stephen Pound has been re-elected chairman of the Labour Friends of India, a 165-member powerful pro-India Group in the House of Commons.

The new team includes political heavyweights such as Lord Triesman of Tottenham who was until recently the Labour Party's general secretary and no less than four parliamentary private secretaries to Government Ministers.

"The officers of the group have a genuine interest in India-UK affairs and it is through their commitment we will achieve further success in Parliament. The team is committed to providing direction on South Asian regional matters to all Labour parliamentarians including the 165 that are members of our group," Pound said.

He said there could be no question on "our effectiveness in Parliament".

"It is well known that our campaigns and activities have been successful in highlighting core issues concerning India such as cross border terrorism, off-shoring and bilateral trade, and international development. With a new team we move from strength to strength."

Dari Taylor, parliamentary private secretary to Hazel Blears, Home Office Minister will be Secretary of the LFIN and Laura Moffatt, parliamentary private secretary to Lord Falconer, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, will be the treasurer.