Civil nuclear cooperation and strengthening of trade partnership between India and France will be high on the agenda of talks between the visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Sarkozy is arriving on a four visit to India on Saturday. An External Affairs Ministry spokesman told reporters in New Delhi today that during the first leg of his visit he will reach Bangalore and is expected to address the ISRO scientists there. Sarkozy will be accompanied by a high level delegation including 7 Ministers. The French President will hold delegation level talks with the Prime Minister on 6th of this month and address captains of industry in Mumbai before leaving for home. The spokesman also said cooperation in defence, trade and investment, science and technology and space will also figure prominently in his discussions with the Indian leaders. He is expected to visit the Police memorial of 26/11 in Mumbai and attend a community function for giving awards to the management of two hotels for their support to French nationals during the terror attack there. AIR correspondent reports that New Delhi is keen to raise the economic profile of bilateral ties. Ahead of Sarkozy's visit Environment Ministry gave approval for setting up nuclear power project comprising of six French designed reactors. The commercial negotiations with the French company are beginning shortly. The bilateral trade between the two countries is poised to touch 12 billion US dollars in the next two years as against 9 billion US dollars last year.
News On AIR | December 1, 2010 9:54 PM
Nuke cooperation, trade to be high on agenda of talks between visiting French prez and PM