E-Paper
French Prez to boost bilateral ties with India
Durign his India visit beginning Sunday, Chirac will focus on all the controversies that have marred relations between the two nations.
French President Jacques Chirac would reach India on Sunday on a three-day visit.
During the visit, Chirac would hope to smooth all the controversies that have marred the strong relations between India and France and further boost business ties with one of the world's fastest growing economies.
The latest controversy between India and France had been over the decommissioned French ship Le Clemenceau.
The asbestos-carrying Clemenceau had been en route to India to be dismantled, when Chirac ordered it back to France after protests from French and Indian environmental groups.
The other major issue was the allegation of French racism in reaction to last month's bid by Mittal Steel Co, run by Indian-born Lakshmi N Mittal, to buy European steel giant Arcelor SA.
Chirac would be accompanied by as many as 50 French executives, including top officials of oil giant Total SA, heavy engineering company Alstom SA, defence contractor Dassault Aviation SA and retailer Carrefour SA.
They would be keen to prove that France has no problems doing business with India.
During the visit, Chirac is expected to sign an agreement for a French-Indian telecommunication satellite, a framework accord on defence cooperation and a pact to cooperate on nuclear power.
He will also be pushing for India to buy French Mirage fighter jets.
India is looking to buy 126 new warplanes in a deal worth billions of dollars (euros), but is also considering American F-16s and F/A-18 Super Hornets, Swedish Gripens and Russian MiGs.
Meanwhile, Chirac has said that France is "close" to reaching an agreement with India on civil nuclear cooperation but feels that "more work" is required on both sides.
