India will make its case for permanent membership of the UN Security Council, a move that is "gaining increasing international support" at the world body's general assembly, the Indo-Asian News Service quoted Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as saying in New Delhi Sunday.  

Speaking before his departure to the United States to attend the UN General Assembly, Singh also said that his government was determined to carry forward reforms to increase opportunities for greater economic interaction.

"Central to this process is reform of the UN and restructuring of the Security Council. We will make our case for India's candidature as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, which is gaining increasing international support."

Economic cooperation would figure in his discussions with US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, whom Manmohan Singh will meet during a stopover in London en route to New York.

"During my stay in New York, I will be meeting President George W. Bush. Both our countries are determined to endow our vital relationship with greater content, particularly in economic and high technology fields," Singh said.

The prime minister said a meeting with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was "envisaged" among his meetings with heads of state and government in New York on the sidelines of the UN assembly.

"This will be a further step in the ongoing dialogue process with Pakistan," the prime minister said in a statement.

(Xinhua News Agency September 20, 2004)