Britain backs India for permanent seat in UNSC

Britain has backed India's bid to get permanent membership of the UN Security Council. The support came at a meeting between External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his British counterpart William Hague on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The two Ministers also discussed bilateral relations and exchanged notes on Libya, Syria and reforms of the UN Security Council.

Briefing reporters foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai said the two leaders also talked about the upcoming meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) in Perth in Australia in October.

Asked about the planned meeting of Mr. Krishna with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday, the Foreign Secretary said it will be for a review of bilateral relations and how to carry them forward. The two countries will look at what other steps need to be taken to advance commercial operations.

Giving details on the bilateral meetings of the Prime Minister with President of newly created South Sudan and Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr Mathai said a whole gamut of bilateral relations came up for discussion.

He said South Sudan sought assistance in capacity building in the areas of medicine, education, agriculture and infrastructure The two countries decided to strengthen co-operation in the Hydro carbon sector.

On Nepal, Mr Mathai said Prime Minister Baburam Battarai briefed Dr Singh on the peace process in the Himalayan state.