Sarkozy backs India's civil nuclear programme

French President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed his country's full support to development of
India's civil nuclear programme but felt access to this industry was "restricted".

Soon after he arrived Bangalore on a four-day visit, Sarkozy also backed India's entry
into Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and its case for a permanent membership of the
expanded United Nations Security Council, saying it was "unthinkable" to keep a country
of over one billion out.

"France is a friend of India. It will stand with it in its efforts in developing non-polluting
energy and nuclear industry," the French President said addressing scientists at the Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

"We need to put an end to nuclear isolation of India. It was injustice done to India
challenging your right to access to civil nuclear energy," Sarkozy, who is on his second
visit to India, said.

India is now going to be a full-fledged member of the multilateral groups overseeing non-
proliferation regimes; he said adding France would support India's application for
candidacy of NSG.

Sarkozy noted with "delight" that a French company Areva would be setting up nuclear
plant at Jaitapur in Maharashtra that would go on to produce 10,000 MWe of "non-
polluting" energy.

However, he noted, there was certain "inconsistency" in India's approach as while it

wanted development of clean energy on one hand, at the same time "restricting access".

"We cannot force upon India obligations without giving it the means to meet the
obligations," he said.

Speaking of France's relationship with India, Sarkozy said that his country has been a
good friend of India.

"We don't speak in two languages. We mean what we say." Condemning the 26/11
attacks, he said any such strike on India was an attack on democracy and all democracies
stand by India.

"When India is attacked, it is democracy attacked," he said.

He observed that terrorism emanating from Pakistan and Afghanistan is a "major source
of instability" in the world.
Talking about Afghanistan, he praised India's role and said the world cannot afford to
lose the war against Taliban.

"We cannot afford to allow Taliban to comeback. No one stand benefited if civil war
raises its ugly head...we must succeed," he said.

Noting that one cannot stand still if India wants to move ahead in 21st century, he said,
"India, Brazil, Germany, Japan, some representatives of Africa and Arab world must be
in UN Security Council."

Sarkozy showered praise on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying the Indian leader
was obsessed with peace through development and eradication of poverty.

"I have great admiration for Prime Minister Singh. I value his friendship. He is right in
believing in peace and stability. India's challenge is that if you succeed through peace, it
will have a huge knock-out effect on the world," he said.

India and France are united by common values and believe that international relations
should not be governed by brutality or force and it should be based on dialogue and rule
of law, Sarkozy said adding the relationship between the two countries should go much
further.

Appreciating India's growth, he said its voice has to be heard in the global level.

"We need India to regulate the world monetary order. I believe Indian currency will be
counted as one of major currencies," he said.

On education sector, Sarkozy said he expected a three-fold growth in the number of

Indian students going to France.

"We want to train young Indians in our universities and open our research facilities for
them. I very much hope that the reverse will also be true," he said.

Sarkozy leaves for New Delhi

French President Nicolas Sarkozy left Bangalore on Saturday for New Delhi after a brief
visit to this IT hub.

Sarkozy, who preferred Bangalore as his first destination for his four-day India tour,
visited the ISRO campus in Bangalore.

The French President, leading a team of ministers and a high level business delegation,
will visit Taj Mahal in Agra on Saturday evening along with wife singer-model wife
Carla Bruni.

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