'Portugal supports India’s inclusion as permanent UNSC member': IPU president

• Inter-Parliamentary Union President, Duarte Pacheco addressed MPs at the Central Hall on Tuesday. Pacheco thanked India for its support for Portugal's election to the IPU. He also assured Portugal's support to India’s bid for permanent UNSC membership. “India is the largest democracy in the world and is looking to be more inclusive. India respects the convictions, political and religious, of each person. India should achieve the place you should have in all international levels. Portugal supports the inclusion of India as a permanent member of UNSC,” he said. The President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union is on a seven-day visit to India. Formed in 1889, IPU is one of the oldest and largest international Parliamentary body. The international organisation of national parliaments consists of over 179 Members. Pacheco, a Portugal MP, was recently elected as IPU President for a three-year term.