UNSC's price: India may have to send troops abroad

French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday flagged the responsibilities which come along with a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, saying India may also be required to send its troops on UN-backed missions to defend peace on foreign shores.

France has been a supporter of India in its bid to secure a permanent seat at the high table. "You will have to send troops beyond your borders to defend peace," Sarkozy said during his address to business leaders at the Taj Mahal Hotel, one of the sites targeted by terrorists during the 26/11 carnage.

"It is very painful. We have lost lives while doing so, but that is the price that a big power has to pay," he said.

Wondering as why even after 35 years of deliberations, member nations have not been able to reform the UNSC, he hinted that a change should come about in 2011. It is time for it in 2011, not in 2012, he said.

The French president described the standstill of 35 years as "audacious" and said changing the global high table "is not a matter of choice." "If you demand it, no one can resist," he said.

Sarkozy had earlier said a country of one billion people should be made a part of the security council.