Frank Pallone, a US Democratic Congressman and founder member of the India Caucus, has introduced a legislation supporting permanent UN Security Council membership for India.
He said his legislation allows the House of Representatives to go on record in supporting India's bid for a permanent seat in the Security Council.
"It is time for the Congress and the Bush administration to recognise the importance India plays in the region and the world and support its bid for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council," Pallone said.
"I believe it is morally wrong to ignore the voice of over one billion Indian people in security decision that affects them and the rest of the world.
"India's location, its large population, its history of participating in UN peacekeeping operations, and its leadership in the Non-alignment Movement, all justify its bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
"All five members of the UN Security Council must realise that having India as a permanent Security Council member will give the South Asia region a stabilising force, helping peace efforts in Central Asia and all parts of our increasingly connected world," Pallone said.
Since September 11, he said, India has dedicated itself to wiping out terrorism not only within its own territory but also throughout the world.
Last year, British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott informed his Indian counterpart Lal Kishenchand Advani that his country backed India's candidacy to the Security Council.
