Britain and France support India's case for membership of UNSC

V S Chandrasekar and Bal Krishna
Toronto, Jun 27 (PTI) Britain and France have voiced
their support for India's case for permanent membership of the
UN Security Council and favoured deepening of bilateral ties
between them.
The backing from countries came during a bilateral
meeting the new British Prime Minister David Cameron and
French President Nicolas Sarkozy had with Indian Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh late Saturday night ahead of the G20
Summit.
This was the first meeting Singh had with Cameron
after his election as British Prime Minister and congratulated
him on his victory.
Singh extended to him an invitation to visit India
which he accepted and would be coming in July.
Cameron had visited India in 2006 as a leader of
opposition.
Prime Minister Singh told him that he was looking
forward to Cameron's visit to India.
India and Britain had raised their bilateral
relationship to a strategic partnership level in 2006 and both
the leaders agreed that there was huge potential to expand
relationship in trade and human resource development.
Trade between the two countries is estimated at USD 13
billion and UK is the fourth largest single investor in India.
India also has considerable investment in Britain.
The British Prime Minister said that he would welcome
more Indian students to come to Britain for studies.
The two leaders shared the views on the G20 Summit.
Singh told him that concerted efforts were needed by
all countries to see that global recovery was consolidated as
at the moment it was seen to be tentative.
The British Prime Minister underlined the need for
reforms of the international financial institutions and the
UN.
"The British Prime Minister supported India's case for
permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council,"
an external affairs ministry spokesman told reporters.
Prime Minister Singh also had a warm meeting with
French President Sarkozy recalling his visit to India in
January 2008.
He extended a fresh invitation to him and his wife
Carla Bruni to visit India again.
President Sarkozy recalled Prime Minister's visit to
France in July last year where he was the guest of honour on
the occasion of French national day.
French President had made a special gesture of
inviting 400 personnel of Indian Armed Forces to take part in
the parade on the occasion.
During the meeting Sarkozy said he wanted India to
play a critical role in world affairs and not just in G20.
He supported India's case for permanent membership of UNSC and
its role in counterterrorism. PTI VSC
RBT


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