Hijjah 28, 1431, Dec 04, 2010, SPA -- India deserves its long-cherished hope of a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Saturday during a trip to the country. "India represents one-sixth of humankind ... it is important that India participate in all major world debates," Sarkozy said while addressing a gathering in India's information technology hub-Bangalore. India has long wanted a permanent seat on the security council, made up of the US, Britain, France, Russia and China. Sarkozy, accompanied by his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and a high-power delegation of ministers and business leaders, began a four-day visit to India with his address to scientists at the satellite centre of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). France wanted India to join the UNSC as a permanent member as it was unthinkable that one billion Indians were not represented in the body, Sarkozy was quoted as saying by the German Press Agency "DPA." If India was excluded, it was a problem for the world, Sarkozy said, adding, "India deserves a permanent seat on UNSC." Sarkozy came out in support of India's bid for a permanent seat on a reconstituted UNSC earlier this year as well.
