France reiterates support for India’s candidature at UN Security Council

Questioning the effectiveness of the United Nations Security Council in its present form, France has reiterated its stand for an expanded Council, which has India – the largest democracy and a growing economic power – as its member.

Questioning the effectiveness of the United Nations Security Council in its present form, France has reiterated its stand for an expanded Council, which has India – the largest democracy and a growing economic power – as its member.

“The Security Council in its present form, without countries like India, Brazil, Japan and Germany lacks the effectiveness it ought to have,” said a senior official in the French embassy, who did not wish to named.

France, the official said, had also mooted the proposal to increase the term of countries elected to the Security Council from the present system of two years and the possibility of their re-election. That, he said, would almost amount to a permanent seat on the Council.

On reports that France signing a nuclear agreement with Pakistan on lines of the Indo-US nuclear deal, the official said the main focus was fight against terrorism and France was exploring a combination of economic help and some cooperation in field of security aimed at fighting terrorism.

Admitting that Islamabad had asked for nuclear energy, the official said, “We believe every country has a right to nuclear energy whether it is Iran or Pakistan but in full compliance with international norms. Obviously, India and Pakistan are not in the same category.”

He also downplayed the growing economic cooperation between US and China, referred by some as the new G-2. “The G-2 is just 1.5 billion people. The production in China is dependent on the consumption in the US. The relationship between the US and the erstwhile USSR was important to the structuring of the world and the Sino-US relationship is similar in no way,” he said.

Ten years ago, the official said, China wouldn’t have said a word on subjects, which didn’t affect it directly but now it has started to assert itself and wants to be seen as a major global power.

France, the official said, would expect the Sri Lankan government to be forthcoming enough to define a national formula acceptable to all and by which national reconciliation can take place.

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