Bush for greater role for India but says path complicated

LD BUSH

New Delhi, Oct 31 (PTI) Pitching for a greater role for
India globally, former US President George W Bush Saturday
favoured its entry into the expanded UN Security Council,
which he acknowledged had got caught into political
complications over questions like size and criteria.

Bush, whose tenure saw a transformation of Indo-US ties,
also "heartily" supported President Barack Obama's remarks
that America's relations with India should not only be one of
the most important ones but must be one of the best ones.
He favoured a push to the strategic ties and review of
the immigration rules, particularly in the context of H1B
visas to allow skilled workers, most of whom come from India,
to contribute to the US economy on a long-term basis.
The former President showered praise on "wise leader"
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, with whom he had taken the
landmark initiative of civil nuclear agreement even as the US
recognised India's nuclear weapon programme.
"We must consider the possibility of a seat for India in
the UN Security Council," he said at the Hindustan Times
Leadership Summit here.
"India has arrived as a strong democratic country in
the world. It is a tolerant, peaceful and multi-religious
democracy," said Bush, who had visited India as President
along with wife Laura in March 2006 and was "dazzled".
He, however, "explained" the complexities involved in
India's inclusion in the world body as questions like size,
criteria and veto-related issues are yet to be addressed.
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