India and France discuss ways to enhance bilateral ties

NEW DELHI: Prospects of civil nuclear cooperation on Thursday figured in the talks as India and France discussed ways to enhance bilateral ties with particular focus on business ties.
   
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and visiting French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner held wide-ranging talks which covered issues like trade, defence and space.
   
Civil nuclear cooperation figured in the discussions with the Indian side apprising Kouchner about the ongoing talks with IAEA for the proposed safeguards agreement as a follow up to the atomic deal with the US.

France is keen to have civil nuclear cooperation with India but is awaiting the outcome of New Delhi's negotiations with IAEA on the proposed safeguards agreement.
   
Paris has maintained that India needed to be brought into the nuclear mainstream as it would benefit the NPT system.
   
Mukherjee and Kouchner also explored ways in which bilateral economic cooperation can be enhanced between the strategic partners.

Viewing India as an emerging economic power, France is keenly looking for investments from this country.
   
Defence cooperation also figured in the discussions, in the backdrop of recent controversy over cancellation by India of a military helicopter deal with Europe's aviation major Eurocopter.
   
Kouchner will also meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday.