Want India as permanent member of United Nations Security Council: Obama

New Delhi: US President Barack Obama on Tuesday stated that he supports India's candidature for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, adding that a world without nuclear weapons should be the primary goal for every country.

"I believe if we are going to be true global partners, our two nations must do more around the world together. So, to ensure national security and peace, multilateral institutions created in the 20th century have to updated for the 21st. That's why I support a reformed United Nation Security Council that includes India as a permanent member," President Obama said, while addressing a gathering at the Siri Fort auditorium in the national capital.

"We believe we can be even closer partners in ensuring national security. Both the countries have known the anguish of terrorism. The US welcomes a greater role for India in the Asia-Pacific. We must never stop working for the world as the world it should be. A world without nuclear weapons; that should be the goal for all of us," he added.

President Obama further appreciated India's efforts towards generating clean energy.

"America wants to be India's partner, as you protect the health of the people and the beauty of the nation. As India wants to build better infrastructure we want to be the first in the line," the US President said.

"We appreciate India's effort for generating more clean energy. In a diverse nation like ours, progress depends on how we see each other," he added.

President Obama, who was on a three-day visit of India, concludes his trip later in the day. During the trip, he became the first US president to attend the Republic Day celebrations and the first president to visit India twice while still in office.