A senior US official says Iran will become a pariah state over its refusal to end its nuclear activities and suggested that countries like India reconsider their relationship with Tehran.

US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said on Wednesday his talks in India would touch on Iran, which he termed a "radical government."

Burn's comments come as France rejected Iran's request for more talks on the Islamic republic's nuclear program, saying that Tehran first must suspend its atomic activities.

Burns supported the idea that Iran should suspend its program and return to talks.