CHENNAI: Australia will back India's bid for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council, according to Alexander Downer, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

In a brief interaction with presspersons, after addressing a meeting organised by the Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce here on Tuesday, Mr. Downer said: "India should have a permanent seat in the Security Council ... we will support the case."

Australia, he said in reply to another question, wants India to be more involved in the East Asian region from the perspective of ensuring peace. The two nations should take forward the process of strengthening economic relations.

Many links

Earlier addressing the meeting, Mr. Downer said India's importance to Australia went beyond the traditional links of the nations being members of the Commonwealth where English is widely spoken and cricket is popular.

"India is a more important country both globally and regionally," in view of its economic reforms and skilful external policies, which is testified by the success of the recent visits of the United States, Japanese and Chinese leaders to India.

The "natural complementarity" between the two economies provided room for further growth of the economic relationship. He said commodities and services as the strongest prospects for future trade and investment between the two countries.

Consul General likely

in Chennai

Responding to queries, Mr. Downer said Australia would "certainly have a Consul General" in Chennai in the future and there was a need to encourage the airlines to operate flights from Australia to south India.

The Australian High Commissioner to India, John McCarthy, answering a question on the need to issue business visas for a longer duration, said the speed with which the visas were issued and their duration had considerably improved.

Listing the activities of the Chamber, its president, N.C. Sarabeswaran, said wasteland development, transportation and water management were some areas in which where Australia could share its expertise.

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