Sweden Backs India's Permanent UNSC Seat, Sees Defence Manufacturing Growth

The ambassador from Sweden to India, Mr. Jan Thesleff, is finishing his job in New Delhi and going home.

Before he left, he told reporters that Sweden thinks India is very important.

He said India should get a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, the big group where countries discuss world peace and safety.

Sweden supports this because India is now a big player in the world.

Sweden and India have worked together since the 1970s, when Swedish defence companies started cooperating with India.

Now, Swedish companies are building things in India, and between 250,000 and 300,000 Indian people work for them.

The ambassador remembered India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who said: 'Innovate in Sweden, manufacture with India, and serve the world.'

Sweden also joined a group of countries called NATO, and the ambassador said this made its talks with India even stronger.

He said countries that believe in rules, diplomacy and the United Nations should stick together.

That is why Sweden wants to stand beside India.