Thursday, February 10 2005 09:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: A Democrat Congressman today (Feb 10, 2005) introduced a Bill supporting India's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nation's Security Council (UNSC) in the US House of Representatives.

Frank Pallone, the founder of the Congressional Caucus on India, introduced a "Sense of Congress" legislation, which would put the US House of Representatives officially on record in support of India's bid.

"Sense of Congress" resolutions have no binding effect on the Administration but indicate the strong feelings of Congress on issues of importance.

Observing that New Delhi was a growing economic power, Pallone said, "Any reform of the Security Council must lead to permanent membership for India. It is in our national interest and, indeed, our responsibility to ensure that this happens."

"At a time when international relations are being redefined, we should acknowledge those with those nations that share our enduring core values," he said.

The UNSC still reflects the world as it was in 1942, when the United Nations was created, he said adding despite the fact that the UN has grown from 51-member nation at more than 200, the Security Council has not grown to reflect these dramatic changes.

"The Security Council's unwillingness to expand and evolve with the times has hindered the Council's ability to tackle threats to international peace and security," Pallone said.

"It's in the interests of the United States and the world to have a UN Security Council whose members combine military strength with respect for democracy and pluralism and an appreciation of the dangers posed by rogue States and terrorist elites.

"India, which has long been a victim of terrorism, was the first to offer its services in the United States' war on terrorism in Afghanistan and was also one of the first to embrace the US ballistic missile Defense program," he said.

There are currently five permanent members of the Council, including the United States, Britain, Russia, China and France.

India's bid has received public support from three of the permanent members, Russia, France and Britain. The US is noncommittal while China is silent.