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I want to see India in UNSC: Dholakia
The deputy leader of Liberal Democrats Party in UK's House of Lords says no one can deny India a place in UNSC.
Navneet Dholakia, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats Party in Britain's House of Lords, says his party wants to see India as a member of the UN Security Council.
"No one can deny India a place in the Security Council," said the British Indian, who was honoured with the Pride of India award in London this week.
"I want to see India play a much larger international role. It should assist all countries in South Asia in overcoming poverty, which is the root cause of instability.
"Membership of the Security Council would be a tremendous boost," Lord Dholakia told the agency in an interview.
Lord Dholakia, whose party is rivalling the Conservatives to become the main party of opposition in the next general election in Britain this summer, said relations between the Liberal Democrats and India have steadily improved over the past years.
There have been three Liberal Democrats delegations to India over the past four years, including one led by party president Charles Kennedy.
The teams have looked at the information technology industry in Bangalore, talked business in Mumbai and reviewed human rights in Jammu and Kashmir.
"Our understanding of India has really improved. We have been impressed by the democratic values and business climate in India," said Lord Dholakia, who is his party's home affairs spokesman in the House of Lords.
