Addressing parliamentarians in the Central Hall of Parliament in March, President of Inter-Parliamentary Union, Duarte Pacheco said that Portugal supports permanent membership for India in the United Nations Security Council. “In United Nations the Portugal supports the reform process and the inclusion of India as a permanent member of the UN Security Council,” he said

Pacheco said that India is the largest democracy of the world and in all levels, from local to national, is looking to be more inclusive with more women and young people. He emphasised that Portugal and India have over 500 years of relationship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present on the occasion.

Earlier Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said: “We are now celebrating 75 years of independence. This Central Hall is a witness to independence. India is the largest working democracy in the world and represents 130 crore people in the country. In the last 74 years of independence, our democratic system has only strengthened.”