New York, Sep 28 (IANS) Mauritius, the Indian Ocean island that is home to a nearly 800,000-strong Indian diaspora, has come out strongly in support of India's claim for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

"It is also morally and politically unacceptable that the world's most populous country is still denied a seat as a permanent member of the UN Security Council," Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam told the world's leaders at the 61st session of the UN General Assembly.

"We are of the view that the reformed Security Council should include India among its permanent members," Ramgoolam stressed.

"It's deplorable that Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean regions are not represented in the permanent membership of the UN Security Council," he added.

India and Mauritius have signed pacts on a preferential trade agreement (PTA), the transfer of sentenced prisoners, mutual legal assistance and an exploration of the coastal waters to boost their economic and political ties.

Ramgoolam, son of Mauritius's first prime minister, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, visited India last year.