Though sceptics would say otherwise, even on the question of India finding a place as a permanent member in the expanded UN Security Council, a broad consensus is emerging to back its candidature. Egypt, on the other hand , hardly find mention in the Africa group, where South Africa and Nigeria are seen as the leaders. Similarly on the issue of nuclear energy—Egypt having signed the Nu clear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) had given up its option to use nuclear energy for military purposes, whereas India, having resisted pressure from the west and others, went nuclear in May 1998. After the initial tough words and measures, it is the western countries which are taking the lead to get India in as a nuclear weapons state in the elite clubs of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and other bodies. On the economic front too India’s growth had been acknowledged by the leading economies in the world to make it a member of the Group of Twenty (G-20) and other important blocs and forums.