Sarkozy pitches for greater role for India in global affairs

NEW DELHI: Pitching for a greater role for India in global affairs, French President Nicholas Sarkozy today favoured its inclusion in the expanded UN Security Council and G-8 to give New Delhi its "rightful place" in the changed world order.

On a two-day visit here, he also sought India's "help" in convincing Iran that the "path it has adopted (on nuclear programme) has a dead-end."

At an interaction with business leaders of the two countries here, the visiting President in a charm offensive asserted that France was the "best friend of India" as he sought greater all-round partnership.

Keeping aside his prepared speech, the visiting President spoke extempore "from the heart", saying it was in the interest of the world to engage a country like India.

Rejecting the 20th Century world order, Sarkozy saw a new 21st century international order where India has its "rightful place" with a permanent membership of the UN Security Council and a member of expanded G-8 bloc of industralised countries.

"I do not see how we can wait and wait for the reform of the UNSC.... We have to increase the seats and India has to be a member," he underlined.