'Not giving Gandhi Nobel Peace Prize mistake'

Jaipur, Nov 3: Admitting that not conferring the Nobel Prize for peace on Mahatma Gandhi was a ''historic mistake'', visiting Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon, today, however, regretted that the blunder could not be corrected as the award was not given posthumously.

''It is a historic mistake which we can not correct now as the Nobel Prize is not conferred posthumously,'' Crown Prince Haakon, who was accompanied by Crown Princess Mette-Marit, said while addressing a press conference on the conclusion of a day's visit here.

When asked whether Norway supported India's claim for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, the Crown Prince pledged Norway's ''continued support'' to India's claim for a seat in the security council . ''Norway sees India as a regional power and an important country on the global scale.'' Takling about his visit to India, he said the increasing political and economic significance of India in the regional and global context made it important for Norway to strengthen its bilateral co-operation with the country.

On bilaternal cooperation, he said Norway was an ideal tourist destination and could offer ideal locations for the shooting of Indian films while the post production cost of Norwegian films could be reduced considerably if it was done in India.

The Prince and his wife earlier visited a health centre at Chomu and the Amber Fort. They called on Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil in the evening.

UNI