BANGALORE, Dec 4 � French President Nicolas Sarkozy today expressed his country�s full support to development of India�s civil nuclear programme but felt access to this industry was �restricted�, reports PTI.
Soon after he arrived here 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 a nuclear plant at Jaitapur in Maharashtra that would go on to produce 10,000 MW 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.
