India and France reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral ties as Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and President Nicolas Sarkozy discussed an array of issues including the threat from international terrorism. India and France are strategic partners with close cooperation in the fields of education, health, defence, space and nuclear energy.

The Indian PM said, “We have a strategic partnership with France and have built vibrant political ties, with collaboration in energy, space research, defence, industry and commerce, science and technology, education, culture and tourism. It is my ardent wish that the partnership between our two democracies is further strengthened and deepened in the years to come. This will benefit the people of both our countries.”

France is India’s third arms supplier. It is keen to sell India its Rafale jet fighters. French nuclear power producer Areva recently signed a draft deal for the sale of up to six nuclear reactors in the country.

India plans to spend more than 21.5 billion euros over the next five years on modernising its largely Soviet-era weapons systems and has launched a civilian nuclear energy programme worth billions of euros. France has already secured a slice of the nuclear cake and is interested in defence contracts. “I hope that we can deepen our strategic partnership in all possible ways . . . so that we can write a new chapter in the history of the world,” Singh said.

Bilateral Talks

At a working lunch in the French capital, the two leaders discussed the situation in the sub-continent and regional and global issues including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and the Middle East.

“France loves India” President Sarkozy told guests on the lawn of the Elysee Palace after the talks.

Relations have warmed in recent years. In recognition of the closeness and intensity of these ties, an annual leadership summit has become the norm. Both leaders expressed satisfaction over their deepening ties.

There is a strong convergence of interest on the measures that need to be taken to counter terrorism and the two leaders pledged to further cement their collaboration in the area. They expressed satisfaction at the implementation of civil nuclear energy and space cooperation as well as wide-ranging military ties.

Complimenting India as “one of the greatest democracies in the world”, Sarkozy said: “India is a major power of the 21st century. Its involvement is essential in all major global matters.”

Manmohan Singh extended his invitation to Sarkozy. The French President said he would visit India soon.

Chief Guest

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was the chief guest at France’s national day parade on 14 July. Bastille Day is held every year on July 14 to mark the anniversary of the storming of the infamous Paris jail in 1789 by revolutionaries, an event that heralded France’s transition from a monarchy to a republic.

Dr. Singh said, “The magnificent parade dramatises the strength and dynamism of this great nation. Four hundred Indian soldiers, dressed in ceremonial uniforms of red and black head dress, cummerbunds, white puttees and gloves and gleaming sabres, marched ahead of thousands of French soldiers down the Champs Elysees past French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his guest of honour, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who greeted the military from the presidential stand.

Leading the parade were the red turbaned men of the Maratha Light Infantry who began the march from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde. The Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force also took part.

“It was an honour for India to have a contingent representing all three services of our armed forces lead the parade. This reflects the friendship and strategic partnership between our two countries and the cordial ties between our armed forces,” Manmohan Singh said.

The parade also set the stage for a celebration of the 75th anniversary of France’s Air Force. Mirage planes and Alpha jets flew over the march, releasing red, white and blue trails to form the French flag above thousands of spectators. The French-German brigade participated in the march alongside French troops, underscoring the close alliance between the two former world war foes.

The parade came to a spectacular end as paratroopers landed in front of the presidential stand carrying French, European, Indian and German flags, in reference to the different themes from this year’s parade.