Pakistan must act against those guilty of attacks on India: Nicolas Sarkozy

NEW DELHI: Asserting that France wants Pakistan to act against those who carry out attacks against India and "bring them to book", former French President Nicolas Sarkozy today said India's neighbour needs to do more in the war against terror.

Sarkozy, who is currently on a visit to India, is slated to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.

Underscoring that "France is by India's side", he said the country wants that "India's neighbours especially Pakistan must take action so that those who carried out the attacks are brought to the book".

"Pakistan needs to cooperate and those guilty (of terror attacks on India) should be arrested," he said at a conference organised by FICCI.

Asked about his message to Pakistan, Sarkozy later told reporters: "Pakistan is a really important and big country. Everyone recognizes its importance but it needs to be more involved inwar against terrorism".

Calling terrorism a "cancer" that has spread widely, the former French President said, "We need to fight against barbarians who want to target European and Indian population".

Noting that "India suffers from terror attacks and we know where they are coming from," Sarkozy said that closing one's eyes amounts to "complicity" in the act.

Emphasizing upon deeper cooperation between nations in the fight against terror, the 61-year-old chief of the Republicans party said that without cooperation, terrorists will find safe havens.

Sarkozy, who was the French President from May 2007 to May 2012, came to India twice on official visit. He was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade in 2008.