Brown supports India's bid for permanent seat in Security Council

New Delhi, Jan 21 (UNI) British Prime Minister Gordon Brown today unequivocally supported India's bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council and argued for reform of the International Monetary Fund(IMF), the World Bank and the G-8 to reflect the rise of India and Asia.

In a subtle endorsement of the Indo-US nuclear deal, Mr Brown said Britain will press for an early agreement to a new IAEA-led international system to help non-nuclear States acquire the new source of energy they need, including through an "enrichment bond." But this offer must be made only in return for firm commitments to the highest non-proliferation standards, he said.

"We can and must do more to make our global institutions more representative," Mr Brown said in his address to the Indian industry.

"I support India's bid for a permanent place --with others-- on an expanded United Nations Security Council. And I support changes to the IMF, World Bank and the G-8 that reflect the rise of India and Asia", Mr Brown said.

Mr Brown's case for a new international nuclear treaty was based on the premise that all around the world there was significant new interest in nuclear power as a source of energy supply and this increased interest brought with it increased risk of proliferation.

The theme of Mr Brown's address was 'Building a new global society; the renewal of International Institutions.' Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath also spoke on the occassion.

The event was jointly organsied here by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry(FICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry(CII).

Mr Brown said there was an urgent need for financing of environmentally sustainable development. "So while we strenghten the World Bank's focus on poverty reduction, its capacity and global reach should also make it a bank for environment--ensuring that its development programmes provide an interegrated approach to both poverty eradication and climate change." MORE UNI GS RS1157