Tuesday, March 22 2005 15:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Former United States Ambassador to India, Robert Blackwill, has said the US should support India's claim for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Blackwill said that US should enhance cooperation with India in civil nuclear and space technology to further cement bilateral ties. He also said that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visit boosted Indo-US ties.

He called for "fundamental policy changes" by both the countries. "Gone are the days when the State Department viewed India myopically through the lens of India's long-troubled relationship with Pakistan. Washington has also stopped playing nagging nanny regarding India's nuclear weapons programme," said Blackwill.

Blackwill asked India to engage in a major way to help build a civil society in Iraq. He also said India should persuade Iran "to give up its insistence on a full fuel cycle and its pursuit of nuclear weapons".

"India should continue its efforts to normalise relations with Pakistan and should work ever more closely with the US to deal with regional instability emanating from Afghanistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. It should be a much more cooperative partner with Washington in the Doha trade round."

Blackwill also said that he was "quite struck" by the extent of "negative outpouring of feeling" in India against denial of visa by US to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Blackwill said he would not comment on the issue as it was being dealt by the Governments of the two countries. "It would not be appropriate to comment," he said answering a question after his speech on "The Future of US-India Relations" organised by the Confederation Of India Industry (CII) in Bangalore.

But, he hastened to add, "I am quite struck by the extent of negative outpouring of feelings by many Indian friends. I understand the strong feeling of Indians. (But) I am not going to comment on the content of that (the US action)."