Former US President George Bush has strongly advocated permanent membership for India in the UN Security Council. Addressing Hindustan Times leadership summit in New Delhi yesterday, he said the possibility of a seat for India in the UN Security Council must be considered. He said India is an emerging nation and there should not be any question on the largest democracy in the world playing a major role in important global decisions. Mr. Bush, however said, the criteria like size and veto related issues have not yet been addressed.<br/>Mr. Bush favoured a push to the strategic ties with India and review of immigration rules so that more people can come from India to contribute to the US economy on long-term basis. He highly praised the wise leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, with whom he could reach the landmark initiative of civil nuclear agreement.<br/>On Pakistan, he said Washington has not been tough with Islamabad but what has changed over the last few years is those extremists threaten Pakistan’s own existence. He wanted India and the United States to work together in the war in Afghanistan, which he said would be a "long and hard struggle" but important for peace, stability and security of the world as Taliban had to be prevented from coming back.<br/>Asked whether Al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden is still alive, Bush said he guessed he was not dead.