December 5, 2010 8:40 PM

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Nicolas Sarkozy arrives in New Delhi

After his trip to historic Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri, the French President Nicolas Sarkozy has arrived in New Delhi this evening to hold discussions with Indian leadership on a host of issues including developments in the region and the globe. The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is hosting a private dinner in the honour of the visiting dignitary and his ministerial team tonight. AIR correspondent reports that the two leaders are expected to spend some time on one-on-one in which key issues likes civil nuclear co-operation may come up for talks. The two leaders are holding delegation level talks tomorrow morning at Hyderabad House in New Delhi where civil nuclear energy, defence and sustainable development are likely to dominate the agenda. The reforms in the international financial institutions at G-20, climate change and nuclear non proliferation are also expected to be flagged off during the summit-level talks. Sarkozy who began his four-day visit to India from IT hub Bangalore has reiterated France's support for India's candidacy for an expanded United Nations Security Council and New Delhi's bid to join the top nuclear clubs including the Nuclear Suppliers Group. This group governs trade of dual use technologies. The two sides are likely to sign some key agreements at the end of the delegation level talks, besides addressing a joint press conference. France has made it clear that it is against monopoly of one or two states in space ventures and favoured as many nations to be in race for the conquest of space. The two countries are working together and French companies employ nearly two lakh people in India and this number is expected to rise. The strategic co-operation between the two countries is on rise in diverse fields including education, research, healthcare, space, defence and trade. Realising the full potential of economic engagement and strengthening people to people contacts is the focus of two sides to put the relationship on a higher pedestal. During the stay in National Capital Mr. Sarkozy will call on the President, Mrs. Patibha Devisingh Patil at Rashtpati Bhawan and also exchange views with the Vice President Mohd. Hamid Ansari. He will also attend a reception by the French Community in Delhi. The French President will leave for Mumbai on Tuesday to pay homage to the victims of 2008 terror attacks and confer french honours to senior executives of Oberoi and Taj Hotels for their extra ordinary services during the attack. Before leaving for home on same evening from Mumbai, Mr. Sarkozy will also deliver the valedictory address at the Indo French business meet which is expected to be attended over 300 business leaders from the two countries.

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