‘Some countries’ hesitant to have India in UNSC: France

France on Thursday said some countries were hesitant to have India in a reformed United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a permanent member.

It, however, refused to name any country working against Indian permanent membership in UNSC.

“Several countries feel India, being an Asian power, should find a place in UNSC. It has not happened yet because certain countries have hesitation and constraints,” French Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence Vice-President Jean-Pierre Chevenement told reporters here.

Mr. Chevenement, however, said the hesitation and constraints could be removed.

Asked to name the countries hesitant to have India in the UNSC, he said “none in Europe.”

Citing the Nuclear Suppliers Group and International Atomic Energy Agency nod to India-specific waiver to do civil nuclear business and India’s civil nuclear agreements with France and U.S., he said France, Great Britain and China had no problem with it.

“These are indications that these countries are not against India becoming a permanent member of the UNSC,” he said.

“You cannot expect France to change the world,” Mr. Chevenement said to a query if Paris was making efforts to remove the hesitation.