India in UNSC important for global balance: Sarkozy

French President Nicolas Sarkozy today said that India as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council was important for the "equilibrium of the world".

French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday said that India as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council was important for the "equilibrium of the world".

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"It is not just an important matter for India but for the equilibrium of the world," Sarkozy said in his opening remarks at a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"After its two-year term, are we going to ask India to simply to stand down," he asked, referring to India becoming a non-permanent member of the Security Council from Jan 1, 2011.

He reiterated that it was unfair that a country of one billion should be kept out of the UNSC high table.

Earlier, Manmohan Singh thanked France for being a "consistent advocate" of India's candidature for a permanent Security Council seat.