India, France hold bilateral talks on sidelines of nuclear security summit

Washington, (ANI): The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday held bilateral talks with the French President Nicolas Sarkozy after the opening plenary session of the Nuclear Security Summit here.

Both the leaders are believed to have discussed bilateral relations, and issues of regional and international importance besides the threat posed by nuclear proliferation.

Both the leaders also reportedly reviewed the progress being made in civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries.

France and India have extensive strategic co-operation, with the military services of both nations conducting joint exercises.

India has purchased much military equipment from France, especially the French Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft and the Scorpène class submarines.

France was one of the few nations who did not condemn India's nuclear tests in 1998 and has supported India's bid to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council as well as G-8.

France is one of the largest suppliers of nuclear fuel to India, and signed a "Framework Agreement for Civil Nuclear Co-operation" in January 2008 during French President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit to India.

During the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's visit to France after India's waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), both nations signed an agreement that would pave the way for the sale of French-made nuclear reactors to India on September 30, 2008.

France and India also maintain a discreet "strategic dialogue" that covers joint cooperation against terrorism. However, India has objected to France's military assistance to Pakistan, with whom it is in conflict.

In July 2009 the French government invited the Dr. Manmohan Singh to be their chief guest at the French national day (Bastile day) celebrations.

Both countries pledged for closer economic, strategic & cultural cooperation on this occasion. (ANI)