Germany on Thursday said it would support India's candidature for a permanent seat in the United Nation Security Council.

This was stated by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder after his reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he was received by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday. Both India and Germany will work closely for adopting a multilateral strategy in strengthening the United Nations besides supporting each others possible candidature in the UNSC, Schroeder said.

Schroeder, who is in Delhi on a two-day visit, told reporters in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan that Germany was interested in strengthening economic and cultural relations with India. Besides the Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed, Heavy Industries Minister Santosh Mohan Deb, Cabinet Secretary B K Chaturvedi, Navy Chief Arun Prakash and Delhi's Lt Governor B L Joshi were present at the ceremonial reception.

After the reception, Schroeder inspected a guard of honour.

Schroeder, accompanied by German Education and Research Minister Edelgard Bulmahn, Parliamentary State Secretary Ditmar Staffelt and a high-level business and media delegation, will call on President A P J Abdul Kalam and hold extensive parleys with the Prime Minister.