Obama says US wants India to be a permanent UNSC member

NEW DELHI - Visiting US President Barack Obama on Monday backed India for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Addressing a joint session of Parliament this evening, Obama made this dramatic diplomatic gesture ahead of wrapping up his first visit to India.

In doing so, President Obama fulfilled India’s dearest wish from the Obama visit-an endorsement from Washington for India’s push for permanent Security Council membership in a change world order.

Obama is the second US President to address the joint session of the Parliament during his three-day India trip. The first was President Bill Clinton in 2000.

Earlier, Vice-President Hamid Ansari welcomed the US President and reiterated the common ideals that the two democracies stand for.

Obama was given a rousing welcome by the Members of Parliament.

Obama began his speech by saying that he was proud and honoured to address the Parliament of the world’s largest democracy.

Obama said India is not emerging, but it has already emerged as a power in the world order.

He also invoked his idols Mahatma Gandhi and US civil rights movement leader Martin Luther King in his address.

“I might not be standing in front of you as President of the US had it not been for Mahatma Gandhi and his message that inspired the Americans,” Obama said.

It was for the first time that teleprompters were installed in the Parliament to help the visiting US President deliver his speech. (ANI)