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 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh late Saturday night ahead of the G-20 Summit.
This was the first meeting Dr Singh had with Mr Cameron after his election as British Prime Minister and congratulated him on his victory.
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 $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 G-20 Summit.
Dr 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 UNSC,” an external affairs ministry spokesman told reporters. Dr 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 2009 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. —PTI