New Delhi, Oct 31 (IANS) Former US president George W. Bush Saturday backed India’s claim for a seat in the UN Security Council (UNSC), but indicated that it’s going to be a difficult process due to global politics.
“We must see the possibility of a seat for India in the United Nations Security Council,” Bush said at the HT Leadership Summit here.

“India has arrived as a strong democratic country in the world. It is a tolerant, peaceful and multi-religious democracy,” he said.

Bush, however, added that the process of getting India into the Security Council is going to be difficult due to the politics of change.

He stressed that before India’s case is considered, fundamental questions about the nature of change and the future composition of the council need to be addressed.

“Should the UNSC be changed? Should there be regional considerations? Is Japan, the world’s second largest economy, going to be there? How big should be the Security Council? It’s going to be a complicated issue,” he said.

“Once we get past these threshold questions, India’s case will be seriously considered. We want India to be at the table,” he said in response to a question.

During the Bush presidency, the US backed a bigger role for India in global affairs, but stopped short of declaring support for its candidature in an expanded Security Council.