The French offer of cooperation in civilian nuclear energy development is likely to figure prominently in the dialogue with India on Monday as Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that New Delhi wanted to deepen strategic relationship with Paris.
PARIS: The French offer of cooperation in civilian nuclear energy development is likely to figure prominently in the dialogue with India on Monday as Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that New Delhi wanted to deepen strategic relationship with Paris.
"France has assured us of cooperating in development of nuclear energy for civil use," Mukherjee said on arrival on Sunday adding "India wants to take this process forward".
The minister's remarks came as Indo-US agreement on civilian nuclear deal is still pending with the US Congress.
Impressing on the US that the process of removing the embargo and lifting of ban on supply of fissile material should be speeded up, Mukherjee said the absence of this is coming in the way of accessing much-needed nuclear material for India's power producing reactors.
He said the process has begun with the US and "we await its final clearance".
"We have a little bit of support from France on this issue and during discussion it will come up," the Defence Minister said.
Heading a high-level defence delegation comprising senior officers of his ministry and the three services, the Defence Minister is likely to meet French President Jacques Chirac and hold wide-ranging discussions with his French counterpart Michele Alliot-Marie.
Mukherjee said his current visit to France was not aimed at concluding any defence deals but to carry forward the Indo-French strategic parternership.
Mukherjee will begin formal part of his visit tomorrow by holding one-to-one discussion with the French Defence Minister followed by delegation level talks.
"Over the years, France has taken independent decisions on the supply of armaments and weapons platform to India", Mukherjee said adding "India appreciates this".
The Minister's visit comes as India is about to float international tenders for the acquisition of 126 multi-role combat aircraft which is being billed by international industry as one of the biggest arms purchases to be made by India with estimates of the deal varying from 12 and 16 billion Euros.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}