India should have greater role in world affairs: Richardson

United States Democratic Presidential candidate Bill Richardson has sought a greater role for India in world affairs by including it among the Group of Eight industrialised nations and giving it a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Addressing The Asia Society yesterday, he said India could act as a counterbalance to the growing economic power of China.

Seeking an expansion of the UN Security Council, he said India, Japan and Germany should be included in the Security Council as permanent members but without veto power.

India, which has won wide support for its bid for a permanent seat, is working along with Japan, Germany and Brazil, three other strong candidates, for expansion of the 15-member Council to enable it to play more effective role in the world affairs.

Richardson, who is Governor of New Mexico State, had previously served as United States ambassador to the United Nations and is fully acquainted with the issues involved in the expansion of the Council, which currently reflects the situation that existed at the end of the Second World War.