Sarkozy backs India in Security Council, end to n-isolation (Second Lead)

BANGALORE - French President Nicolas Sarkozy Saturday asserted that India should get a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council and called for an end to New Delhi’s nuclear isolation.

It is unthinkable that 1.1 billion people are not represented in the UNSC. India deserves a permanent seat in the Security Council, Sarkozy said, addressing over 500 scientists, captains of industry and students at the Indian Space Research Organisation here soon after landing here on a four-day visit to the country.

He said Brazil, Germany, Japan and the Arab world and Africa should also be represented in the Security Council.

Calling for an end to Indias nuclear isolation, Sarkozy said France was ready to set up more nuclear plants in the country. India and French cooperation in nuclear energy is limitless, he said in his address in French.

Sarkozy arrived here on the first leg of his four-day visit accompanied by his celebrity wife Carla Bruni, seven ministers and a delegation of around 60 businessmen.

He was received at the defence behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Ltds airport in the heart of the tech hub by state Chief Secretary S.V. Ranganath.

Sarkozy touched on the terror threat to India, the situation in Afghanistan, the global financial crisis and Indias role in solving these issues.

On terror threat to India, Sarkozy said: France stands in total solidarity with India. If India is attacked, democracy is attacked.

Terrorism and insurgency in Pakistan and Afghanistan are a major source of threat to world peace and stability. We cannot afford see Taliban succeed in Afghanistan, he said.

On Indias place in the international order, the French president said: “It (India) has to stand up. Its voice should be heard.

He sought greater exchange of students and youth between the two countries.

If French youth do not come to India how can they understand the world, he said.