Bush for India's entry into UNSC

Bush also ‘heartily’ supported President Barack Obama’s remarks that America’s relations with India should not only be one of the most important ones, but must also be one of the best ones.

“We must consider the possibility of a seat for India in the UN Security Council,” he said at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit here.
Bush, who was at his humourous best, complimented Prime Minister Singh a day after the Indian leader described him as a ‘great friend of India’. “I really like Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The prime minister is a wise leader,” he said.

Justifying his decision on Iraq, he said dislodging of the ‘brutal dictator’ Saddam Hussain was a necessity after the 9/11 attacks but regretted that military had to be used to do so as there was no other ‘choice’.

Bush, who had earned immense criticism for the war on Iraq, rejected suggestions that his action had led to radicalism among the Muslim community and insisted that the world and Iraq were “better off” now.

Removal of Hussain was important as it was “felt” that Iraq possesses weapons of mass destruction and the then President was not allowing IAEA inspectors in, Bush said.
Asked whether al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden could be alive, Bush said "I guess he is not dead." He, however, noted that Laden is hiding and "not leading victory parades" or "espousing his cause" on TV.