Underlining enhanced counter-terror cooperation between India and France, de Rohan said France is involved in Afghanistan to prevent that country from becoming 'a sanctuary of Al Qaeda and militants allied with it'.

Calling for quickening the pace of reform of the UN, de Rohan said: 'The reform of the security council should be achieved as quickly as possible.'

A majority of countries think that the presence of India in the Security Council is necessary, he said. He cited the approval of the India-US nuclear deal by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) that showed overwhelming support for New Delhi's bigger role on the global stage.

He, however, observed that there is hesitation among some nations about supporting India's bid for the council, but clarified that this hesitation did not come from either Europe or China.

'The Chinese do not have any problem with it. There is good understanding between India and China,' he said.

Giving an update on civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries which signed a nuclear pact nearly a year ago, French ambassador to India Jerome Bonnfont said India and France are close to finalising an agreement on sale of two advanced French atomic reactors of 1,650 MW each.