Russian President says backs India U.N. seat quest

NEW DELHI Dec 21 (Reuters) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday he supports India's quest for a permanent seat at an expanded United Nations Security Council.

India has long sought a permanent seat at the U.N. Security Council, a bid which has been endorsed by the United States and France. China has only given a lukewarm response. Medvedev was speaking, alongside Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during a news conference at the start of a two-day visit to India. (Reporting by Alexei Anishchuk and Krittivas Mukherjee; writing by Paul de Bendern; editing by Malini Menon)