Sandesh Prabhudesai
23 Nov 1997
Keith Vaz, the labour party MP of Indian origin, has personally favoured permanent membership to India on UN security council, though his ruling party has not taken any formal decision in this regard.
Speaking to press persons during a visit here along with a nine-member delegation of commonwealth association of England, he said : " A country like India which houses one-sixth of the humanity is justified in becoming permanent member of the UN".
The British MP of Goan origin also reiterated that the labour party is committed to end all sorts of racism, including against the blacks and the Asians, existing in the UK. Based on his report, prime minister Tony Blair is planning to introduce new laws, he added.
"There is a glass partition which Asians can't penetrate into today". His report accepts the fact that Asian are losing top jobs even if younger generation is getting many opportunities.
His visit to India is aimed at strengthening trade ties with its one-time colony. "But don't look at it as another form of colonialism", he urges.
While he is planning to send business delegations to India in near future for joint partnership, information technology is the field the UK can play a major role, he feels. "With Internet having access to all schools, our country is progressing speedily", he states.
India will be a dominant force in the 21st century, he predicts, and also points out that its business relations with the UK may help the country tremendously as Britain would chair the EC market since January.
In terms of the native land of his parents, he appreciates the balance Goa has maintained between environment and development. "But it should be promoted not only as a picnic spot but a viable place to invest", he feels.
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