MPs expect Obama to support India's claim to UNSC seat

New Delhi, Oct 31 (PTI) Support to India's rightful claim
to a permanent seat in the UN Security Council is what Indian
lawmakers expect from the US during the address of President
Barack Obama in Parliament.
The issue has become the talk among Indian lawmakers and
leaders with an MP putting it succinctly that "this is my wish
list. It would be great if it comes true" on November eight
when Obama addresses the joint session of Parliament of the
world's largest democracy.
Another member, AIADMK leader in the Rajya Sabha V
Maitreyan says any US commitment to India on its permanent
seat in the security council is highly welcome.
"We expect the US President to be forthright in
condemning cross-border terrorism," says Maitreyan.
His view was shared by former Union minister and Congress
leader Shakeel Ahmed.
Ahmed hopes the mutual understanding between the two
countries and the resolve to fight against terrorism will be
strengthened with Obama's speech in Parliament and visit to
the country.
"We will expect the US President to support India's cause
for a permanent seat in the security council," he says.
Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Singhvi, however, sounds a note
of caution saying, "It is important not to raise expectations
beyond reality and equally to work solidly for concrete
results."
According to the Congress MP, the US has to become an
ally and supporter of New Delhi but on India's independent and
non-alignment terms.
He wants civil nuclear cooperation and commerce to be
given huge impetus to bridge India's power deficit.
According to Samajwadi Party General Secretary Mohan
Singh, the US should address the security concerns of India
during Obama's address as Pakistan and China were "encircling"
the sub-continent.
The Indian IT industry was being harassed in the US by
imposition of heavy taxes and wanted Obama to address the
issue, he says.
Singh says the two countries should play an important
role in spreading democracy in the world.
"US Constitution significantly influenced Indian
Constitution in the beginning stage of the Republic,"
according to another MP.
BJP MP Prakash Javadekar says his party valued the
friendship and ties with the US and "we hope he also
reciprocates".
He hopes that Obama will take a "proper view" of
India-China-Pak dynamics. The US President, he says, should
address India's concerns on the issue of fight against
terrorism as US aid to Pakistan is being "misused" by the
neighbouring country.
The Lok Sabha Secretariat is also contemplating a series
of lectures on the Lok Sabha Television before Obama's visit,
by eminent jurists like Fali Nariman on the evolving relations
between the two countries.
Meanwhile, renovation work in Parliament House complex
is almost over and the Lok Sabha Secretariat is awaiting
confirmation from the Ministry of External Affairs to enable
it to print invitation for the high-profile visit.
Additional manpower has been deployed to repair circular
road, lighting and activate fountains reaching to the historic
Central Hall.
It was the Central Hall where the British handed over
power to India in 1947. It was also the platform for addresses
by several leaders, including former US President Bill Clinton
who visited India in 2000.
An official said that the US security personnel reviewed
the arrangements with Parliament Security on Thursday. PTI SPG
PBL