Minister for the Middle East Dr Kim Howells said in the House of Commons that Britain ‘publicly’ and ‘consistently’ championed reform of the UN, including introduction of an enlarged UN Security Council with a permanent seat for India.

"The Prime Minister (Gordon Brown) reaffirmed the United Kingdom's support for India's candidacy during his speech in Delhi in January," he told Labour MP Dr Ashok Kumar in the House.

"Our mission in New York is trying to break the long-standing deadlock over reform, and we will continue with our efforts to persuade Governments that India should have a permanent seat on the Security Council - alongside Brazil, Japan and Germany, and that there should be representation from Africa," he said on Wednesday.

Dr Howells said the UK enjoyed a strong partnership with India based on the shared values of democracy, fundamental freedoms, pluralism, rule of law and respect for human rights.

"The Prime Minister's recent visit to New Delhi strengthened that partnership by ensuring that progress was made on a range of bilateral and wider international issues. Both sides will use the outcome of the visit to deepen further the relationship," he said.