NEW DELHI, June 20 (Xinhua) -- India has said that Britain is the gateway to the European Union for it, spelling out its preference for London to stay within the European Union.

"We have always held that and articulated too in the past that Britain is the gateway to the European Union," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said.

The minister was responding to a media poser Sunday in the national capital on India's position on June 23 Brexit referendum.

However, Swaraj said that it is for the British to take a final call and New Delhi has no role to play in the process.

"The decision has to be taken by the people of Britain and they would decide keeping in mind their national interest. India has no role to play in it," she said.