LONDON, Sept 20: British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Monday backed India's quest for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council while seeking to involve India and China in talks with the G-8 countries on climate change.

Speaking at a press conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Blair said Britain not only backed its bid for a permanent Security Council seat but increased Indian cooperation at the international level.

"Yes, on both points," Blair told reporters at 10 Downing Street. "India is a country of 1.2 billion people. For India not to be represented on the Security Council is I think something that is not in tune with the modern times in which we live," Blair said.

After emerging from about 45 minutes of talks with Blair, Singh said he was glad with Blair's reaffirmation of Britain's "resolve to help India gain permanent membership of the Security Council."

Brazil, Germany and Japan are also pressing to join the current five veto-wielding members of the Security Council and press reports have said the four candidates are supporting one another's bids. -Reuters