4 permanent UNSC members strike $40 bn deals with India in '10

Four of the five permanent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members -- the US, China, France and the UK -- have announced various trade and business deals.

In signs of India's growing clout in the global arena, all the multi-billion dollar plans were unveiled during the visit of their respective country heads to India in 2010.

Another permanent council member Russia is expected to announce various deals with India, during Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's two-day visit starting December 21.

"The (investment and trade promotion) mission is scheduled to sign economic and trade agreements worth more than USD 16 billion with Indian companies," Chinese premier Wen Jiabao, who is on a three-day visit, said here on Wednesday.

Earlier this month, French President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit to India saw the announcement of various deals estimated to be worth nearly USD 13 billion.

Among the major pacts inked during Sarkozy's four-day visit include that between French energy giant Areva and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) for the supply of two nuclear reactors and fuel.

US President Barack Obama, who made his maiden visit to India in November, announced business deals pegged at USD 10 billion. These include Anil Ambani-led Reliance Power's USD 2 billion-worth equipment sourcing plan and SpiceJet's pact with Boeing 777 to purchase 30 aircrafts for nearly USD 3 billion.

All these deals are expected to generate over 50,000 jobs in the US, which is grappling with high unemployment levels.

British Prime Minister David Cameron came to India in late July this year and the visit also saw the UK striking an over USD 1 billion defence deal.