Sarkozy arrives on two-day visit

[Sourav]

Sarkozy arrives on two-day visit



French President Nicholas Sarkozy arrived on Friday on a two-day visit which is expected to give a boost to bilateral relations.

Contrary to speculation, Sarkozy's girlfriend Carla Bruni is not accompanying him on his maiden visit.

The French President, who will be the 'Guest of Honour' at the Republic Day celebrations, was received by Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma at Palam airport.

He is accompanied by a high-level delegation of six ministers and about 60 top executives of French companies.

Talks on nuclear cooperation and a multi-billion dollar defence agreement will be the highlight of Sarkozy's visit.

The two sides will also discuss ways to enhance trade and business ties.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sarkozy will hold talks on a wide range of issues covering bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.

After the talks, the two sides will issue a joint statement spelling out a "strategic roadmap" for future cooperation between the two countries.

See an interesting video on Sarkozy ...

[Sourav]

India, France on 'verge' of nuclear agreement: Sarkozy

India and France are "on the verge" of an agreement to engage in civil nuclear energy cooperation, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in an e-mail interview with the Hindustan Times.

"We are on the verge of finding an agreement which will enable the development of civilian nuclear cooperation with India," Sarkozy was quoted as saying.

"The is one of the stakes of my visit in India: to bring to fruition this evolution that I deem essential for India's development and the protection of the global environment."

Sarkozy added that the agreement was subject to India working out a "special regime" with the 45-country Nuclear Suppliers Group, which governs global nuclear trade, as well as safeguards with the UN's atomic energy watchdog.

India, which has not signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty, needs to clear hurdles with the two bodies as part of a landmark nuclear cooperation deal with the United States first announced in 2005.

Such an agreement, however, is expected to take months to negotiate.

"Once India concludes a safeguards agreement with the IAEA and the NSG announces its decision we shall be able to sign a cooperation agreement with India," Sarkozy said.

"This agreement will notably enable the delivery of nuclear power stations of the latest technology."

India has been shut out of the global nuclear fuel market since it conducted its first nuclear test over three decades ago but says it needs access to atomic energy to feed its booming economy.

The French nuclear energy group Areva estimates that India, currently the fourth biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, will need 25 to 30 nuclear reactors to meet its atomic energy needs.

As well as the United States and France, Russia is also eyeing fuel-hungry India as a major atomic energy market.

[Sourav]

India must be in expanded G8, says Sarkozy



French President Nicolas Sarkozy is batting for India. He wants India in an expanded version of the G8. When this exclusive club of nations meets in Japan, the President expects a “significant step” forward. The man in the news is also bullish about civil nuclear cooperation with India.

In an exclusive e-mail interview, Sarkozy described India as a “key player” on Thursday, without whom it wasn’t possible to address global issues. Expanding the G8 into a G13 formed part of his international priorities, the President, who arrives Friday to be chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, said.

France and India were on the verge of “finding an agreement” on civil nuclear cooperation. “This is one of the stakes of my visit in India: to bring to fruition this evolution that I deem essential for India’s development and the protection of the global environment.”

“Once India concludes a safeguards agreement with the IAEA and the NSG announces its decision, we shall be able to sign a nuclear cooperation agreement with India,” he promised.

The President chose to answer all the questions e-mailed to him by HT, barring one about whether or not companion Carla Bruni would accompany him to India, or would he see the Taj alone.

Echoing the sentiments expressed by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown a couple of days ago, Sarkozy stated that the UN Security Council, the IMF and the G8 had to be adapted to create a 21st century world order.

Expressing regret at the collapse of the Eurocopter deal, the President said he respected the decision of Indian authorities. However, France was ready to back Dassault, the manufacturer of the Rafale, if it decided to bid for the 126 fighter aircraft required by the Indian Air Force.

To avert a clash of civilizations, Sarkozy called for a relentless battle against terrorism, helping the forces of moderation and modernity so that an “open an tolerant Islam could develop” as well as being open to dialogue with those who choose peace over hatred.

“And, from this point of view, the example of India, where so many nations, languages, religions co-exist, can inspire us,” the President stressed.

“I don’t define myself with reference to others,” Sarkozy replied when asked whether his foreign policy posture was a radical departure from that of predecessor Jacques Chirac, who distanced Paris from Washington.

“The French have been allies of the United States since the creation of this country…France is a standing friend, an independent ally, a free partner,” the President said in an animated response.

Defending his recent dealings with Muammar Gaddafi and Hugo Chavez, Sarkozy remarked: “But I want to be clear so that there is no misunderstanding: this diplomacy of reconciliation is in no way a diplomacy of convenience.”

He called for a new way of conceiving international relations. “Non-alignment is a concept that sprang up in reaction to (a) bipolar world, which has disappeared. One has to draw conclusions from that!”

[Sourav]

India, France sign five agreements

India and France on Friday signed five agreements, including one for cooperation in the field of nuclear research.

The agreements were signed after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy in New Delhi.

The agreement between French Atomic Energy Commission and the Department of Atomic Energy was for constructing and operating Jules Hotowitz (JH) reactor.

The reactor will be built by the French Atomic Commission at Cadarache in France.

An MoU that establishes cooperation between the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research on the one hand and GANIL on the other on the use of spiral 2 high intensity beam production system will be signed in Mumbai.

GANIL (Grand Accelerateur National d"Ions Lourds) is a heavy ion accelerator based at Caen in France.

Both countries also agreed to intensify exchanges between their nuclear scientists, establish structures for training and undertake nuclear safety research.

In addition, the dialogue between nuclear safety authorities of respective countries will be reinforced, especially in the context of future industrial cooperation.

In the defence sector, an agreement was signed on mutual protection of classified information while both sides agreed to take defence ties beyond buyer-seller relationship.

They decided to initiate detailed discussion on status of Forces Agreement and agreed to intensify joint programmes and prospects in defence industry, conduct joint research and facilitate transfer of technology.

Agreements were also signed on transfer of sentenced prisoners and on India-French Development Cooperation through French Development Agency.

An MoU was also signed on establishing an International Associated Laboratory in the field of neuroscience.

[Sourav]

PM, Advani take up turban issue with Sarkozy

In the backdrop of sustained demands from Sikhs, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday took up with French President Nicolas Sarkozy the issue of ban on turban in that country.

Singh raised the issue during his talks with Sarkozy who responded by saying that there is no ban on wearing of turban in France though use of religious symbols in certain situations was prohibited, sources said.

Sikh groups here have been protesting against the ban and were demanding that the Prime Minister raise the issue with Sarkozy.

Leader of the Opposition L K Advani also took up the matter of turban ban with Sarkozy when he called on the French President.

Sources close to Advani said Sarkozy assured him that he would look into the matter.

[Sourav]

Sarkozy Says France-India Trade May Double by 2012

France's President Nicolas Sarkozy said trade with India may double to 12 billion euros ($17.7 billion) by 2012 as both nations agreed to develop cooperation in fields including defense, nuclear energy and aerospace.

France and India will consider cooperation in steel, hydroelectric dams, power plants, trains and subways, the nations said in a joint statement. India signed an agreement to take part in the construction and operation of a nuclear reactor research project in France, which is ready to increase nuclear cooperation with the Asian nation as soon as it overcomes domestic opposition to an agreement with the international nuclear energy regulator.

``We want French companies to invest at least 10 billion euros in India and that at least a 1,000 small- and medium-sized companies enter the Indian market,'' Sarkozy said at a news conference today with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.

The French president is seeking to increase exports to India, the world's second-fastest growing major economy, because the European nation's trade deficit is swelling to a record as it loses market share in the global markets.

Sarkozy is in New Delhi for a two-day state visit with about five dozen French business leaders, including Anne Lauvergeon, chief executive of power plant maker Areva SA, Jean-Pascal Tricoire, CEO of Schneider Electric SA, the world's biggest maker of circuit breakers, and Jose Luis Duran, CEO of Carrefour SA, Europe's biggest retailer.

Trading Partners

Denis Ranque, chief executive officer of Thales, based in Neuilly-sur-Seine near Paris, Europe's largest military- electronics company, and Charles Edelstenne, chief executive officer of Dassault Aviation SA, are part of the delegation.

France was India's 15th-biggest trading partner in 2006, representing 1.8 percent of India's imports that year, compared with a 4.1 percent market share for Germany and about 10 percent for the U.S.

India will launch a tender for French companies to modernize its fleet of Mirage-2000 combat jet, said a Sarkozy aide, who briefed reporters on the condition that he'd not be named.

Safran SA's Snecma unit is ``well placed'' in a project to develop the so-called ``Kaveri'' engine that India will develop for its planned ``light'' combat jets, the aide said. MBDA, Europe's largest missile maker, is also ``well placed'' to supply India with surface-to-air short-range missiles. The Sarkozy aide said that Dassault will propose its Rafale jet in India's tender for 126 combat jets.

In separate agreements, France and India said they will boost intelligence cooperation to fight terrorism and facilitate the transfer of sentenced prisoners between the two countries.

Author - Francois de Beaupuy - fdebeaupuy@bloomberg.net

[Sourav]

Sarkozy calls her to Paris, Taslima politely declines



Controversial Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen doesn’t want to go to Paris to accept the prestigious Simone de Beauvoir Award. After the Indian Government informed the French authorities that her safety would be compromised if she received the award on Indian soil, French officials extended an invitation to her to come to Paris and accept the award.

In fact, the invitation was at the behest of the visiting French President, Nicholas Sarkozy, himself. The Prix Simon de Beauvoir is considered one of the best awards for feminist writing the world over.

The French Government had requested India to take all measures to facilitate her trip to Paris to receive the award, which the Bangladeshi author has bagged for her writings in support of women's rights.

"France is grateful to the Indian authorities for all measures that they may kindly take to facilitate Ms Nasreen's journey to France," the Embassy said in a statement.

In a conversation with CNN-IBN on Friday morning, Taslima said: "I am thankful to the French President for inviting me to France. But the real ceremony has already taken place in Paris on January 9. I don’t think there is any need for me to travel all the way to France just now. I would have been delighted to have accepted the honour from French officials in Delhi. Since that is not possible, I’ll be happy if the certificate is couriered to Kolkata. I really long to go back to my home in Kolkata."

[Sourav]

Sarkozy guest of honour as India showcases military might

French President Nicolas Sarkozy was guest of honour at India's Republic Day parade as New Delhi showcased its latest military hardware including nuclear-capable missiles.

Soldiers marched down the central avenue of the British Raj-built capital to the sound of military bagpipes as Sarkozy, Premier Manmohan Singh and India's first woman president, Pratibha Patil, gazed on from behind bullet-proof glass.

Tight security surrounded the annual parade, which highlights India's might, technological prowess and cultural diversity and marks its proclamation as a republic in 1950 -- three years after it won independence from British rule.

Singh held wide-ranging late night talks Friday with Sarkozy to shore up strategic ties between India and France.

The two nations signed a pact on nuclear power cooperation to go into effect as soon as New Delhi is allowed to enter the global civilian atomic energy market. They have also pledged to boost military ties.

Patil, 72, in a speech ahead of the celebrations, highlighted India's new-found economic muscle on the back of a blistering nine-percent growth rate, and sought closer ties with the international community.

"The impressive strides of the Indian economy have resulted in the emergence of India as a powerful player in the global economy," president said.

"India is committed to establish(ing) ties of friendship and cooperation with all countries, and India's engagement with the world is intensifying both in the economic and political fields," she said.

Patil also said New Delhi would not tolerate armed insurgencies on its soil.

"The continuing terrorist attacks are reminders of the need to take collective action," she said as troops manned sandbagged posts on New Delhi intersections for the annual military extravaganza.

India is battling insurgencies in Himalayan Kashmir, where Islamic separatists are fighting New Delhi's rule, and in the far-flung northeast, where a host of militant groups are fighting for independence.

Sarkozy, who jetted into New Delhi Friday without glamorous model-turned-singer girlfriend Carla Bruni, smiled with evident enjoyment as he watched the colourful parade in bright winter sunshine.

India rolled out its military hardware -- most of it Russian in origin as Moscow is still India's biggest military supplier -- followed by marching bands.

The parade for the first time displayed its Israeli-made artillery. Israel in 2005 became India's number two arms supplier, pushing France into the third place in sales.

India, which has fought three wars with Pakistan and one with China since 1947, is the biggest arms buyer among emerging nations amid estimates it could spend up to 50 billion dollars between now and 2018 to upgrade its 1.23-million strong military.

Dancers and tableaux in the parade portrayed the struggle for independence by India which marked last August the 60th anniversary of freedom from colonial rule.

Some 17,000 paramilitary troops including elite "Black Cat" commandos backed by New Delhi's 55,000-member police force were deployed to prevent possible attacks in the capital.

New Delhi was "turned into a no-fly zone for the parade and we have deployed anti-aircraft guns and (armed) helicopters," senior police officer Qamar Ahmed said.

In Kashmir, combat troops were out on the streets in strength in the two largest cities -- Srinagar and Jammu-- where parades were also slated.

The Indian government posthumously awarded Everest conqueror Edmund Hillary one of its highest civilian awards at the event.

Other top honour recipients included the head of the Nobel prize-winning climate change Rajendra Pachauri and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.

[Sourav]

France bets on Indian non-alignment to sell arms and reactors

France is counting on India's traditional non-alignment to sell New Delhi fighter aircraft and nuclear reactors amid stiff competition from Moscow and in particular Washington, officials say.

President Nicolas Sarkozy left India on Saturday night after sending a "clear message to the Indians," a presidential adviser said.

"He told them, 'choose French civilian nuclear equipment to be independent of the Americans'."

Dassault Aviation put forward the same argument to sell its Rafale fighters, which have yet to be exported outside France.

"We have always been on the side of India. Our markets are countries which want to be independent from the United States, which want to have two sources," said Dassault president and CEO Charles Edelstenne.

France and India strengthened their decade-old "strategic partnership" during Sarkozy's two-day visit, notably with a framework nuclear deal for the sale of French reactors.

Sarkozy has called for an exception to be made for India, which has been under US-led nuclear sanctions since testing in 1998 but has steadfastly refused to join the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. France pointedly did not impose sanctions.

New Delhi struck a historic nuclear deal with the United States in 2006, but neither the US nor the French agreement can be implemented until the International Atomic Energy Agency and the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group give a green light for India to enter the global atomic energy market.

That would see India open civil nuclear installations to international monitoring in return for fuel and reactors.

The French nuclear energy group Areva estimates that India will need 25 to 30 nuclear reactors.

But the deal with Washington has upset the coalition government's communist allies in a nation which defined non-alignment during the Cold War.

In the name of national sovereignty the communists are threatening to bring down Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government if the US accord is implemented.

Nonetheless US companies have launched an offensive to sell fighter aircraft to India, which has put out a 10-billion-dollar tender that closes in March to purchase 126 aircraft.

US giants Boeing and Lockheed Martin are promoting their F-18 and F-16 aircraft respectively, alongside the European Eurofighter Typhoon, Russia's MiG-29 and the Gripen, made by Sweden's Saab.

"We will make a better offer than the Americans," boasted François Dupont, director of French defence firm Thales, which is associating with Dassault for the Rafale bid.

The Indians have "too much Russian equipment and I don't see them (putting themselves) in the hands of the Americans. We have a chance," Dupont told AFP.

France is India's third largest arms supplier behind Russia and Israel in a tough market which holds the promise of 30 billion dollars in contracts by 2012.

Negotiations are due to start with French firms to modernise India's 51 Mirage-2000 jets at a cost of up to 1.5 billion dollars.

Dassault's Edlestenne sees the Rafale as a natural choice for India's next generation fighter.

"We have supplied the IAF (Indian Air Force) for more than 50 years. They are happy with our planes. On merit, we have the right plane for the Indian defence," he said.

But Edelstenne is fully aware of New Delhi's warming relations with Washington.

"Will India continue to want to be an independent country? Do they want to maintain their former policy? Will there be a change in Indian diplomacy and policy? I don't know," he said.

For retired Indian Air Force chief N.K. Sareen: "India must keep all its options open. We must also keep in mind they (France) stood by us in 1998," when Washington led calls for nuclear sanctions.

"The 1998 sanctions have stuck in Indian throats," said one industrialist, who asked not to be named. "An American plane will not carry their atomic bomb."

[Sourav]

France to treble number of Indian students: Sarkozy

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Friday that he aimed at trebling the number of Indian students pursuing higher education in universities in France.

"We are prepared to increase by three-fold the number of Indian students studying in France," Sarkozy said, addressing a meeting of business leaders from India and France.

As per French government statistics, about 1,700 Indian students are pursuing higher studies in various educational institutions in France.

This is in sharp contrast to the 17,000 students of Chinese origin studying in France.

The two countries are launching a Indo-French Consortium of Universities to facilitate student and faculty exchanges.

This consortium proposes to set up masters and doctoral curricula which also include modules devoted to Indian and French cultures.

According to experts, cultural differences between the two countries dissuade Indian students coming to France to pursue higher studies.

France is also publicising the internship offered in various educational courses which help international students earn as they learn.

For the next two years the French embassy here will reserve 40 incentive grants for Indian masters students who would like to go to France as a part of the programmes established by the consortium of universities.

[naresh]

HO GAI SHADI......NDTV NEWS 2 FEB 08

President Nicolas Sarkozy married his girlfriend, former model Carla Bruni, on Saturday at the Elysee Palace, the Mayor who performed the ceremony said.

''The bride wore white, she was ravishing, as usual,'' Francois Lebel, Mayor of Paris' eighth arrondissement, or neighbourhood, told Europe-1 radio. ''The groom wasn't bad either.''

Sarkozy, 53, and Bruni, 40, were married in the presence of close family and friends at the Elysee Palace, Lebel said, calling the ceremony ''a moment of family intimacy for the young newlyweds, of great simplicity and apparently a lot of affection between the spouses.''

''I wished them a lot of happiness,'' he said.

Under French law, couples must tie the knot before a Mayor to make their union official.

Sarkozy and Bruni reportedly met in November, soon after his October divorce from Cecilia, his second wife. They went public with their relationship during a visit to Disneyland Paris, and they remained in the spotlight during trips to Egypt and Jordan.

Sarkozy's openness about his private life has surprised many French, accustomed to presidents who keep their love lives under wraps. But he had refused to reveal the date for his wedding plans, saying only that France might only learn about the nuptials once they had already taken place.

[Sourav]

Thanks for the update, Naresh
_________________
Request | Rules
Our photos | My photos