India, France to sign five pacts

Nksagar-Sagar Media Inc: New Delhi:
India and France will sign five pacts at the end of summit level talks with a focus to give a big push to the bilateral civil nuclear cooperation. Three of the five agreements are regarding civil nuclear cooperation. India and France the two Countries have finalized the general framework agreement for implementation of reactors unit at Jaitapur nuclear plant in Maharashtra. They have also concluded a pact of early works agreement for construction of nuclear reactors. Pact between Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and France's atomic energy commission CEA for cooperation in the field of nuclear science and technology has also been concluded besides an MoU between Indian Space research organization, ISRO and France's Centre National D'etudes Spatiales (CNEc] .Another pact on co production of films will also be inked.

The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is leading the Indian delegation at the talks while the French side is led by its President Nicolas Sarkozy. They will address a joint press conference after the talks. Dr. Singh had one on one talks with Mr. Sarkozy during the private dinner hosted by the Prime Minister in the honour of the visiting dignitary and his high level team.

Civil Nuclear Cooperation, India's bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council and reforms in the international financial architecture are likely to figure prominently during the talks. The growing threat of terrorism originating from Afghanistan and Pakistan and its impact on international peace and security are also expected to be discussed by them.

Other important issues to figure during the talks include enhancing partnership in defence, education, research, healthcare, agriculture, climate change and sustainable development.Mr. Sarkozy arrived in New Delhi last evening from Agra where he visited the historic Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri.

During his stay in National Capital Mr. Sarkozy will call on the President, Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil at Rashtrapati Bhawan and will also exchange views with UPA Chiarperson Sonia Gandhi. He will also attend a reception by the French Community in Delhi.The French President will leave for Mumbai tomorrow to pay homage to the victims of 2008 terror attacks and confer french honours to senior executives of Oberoi and Taj Hotels for their extra ordinary services during the attack. Before leaving for home on same evening from Mumbai, Mr. Sarkozy will also deliver the valedictory address at the Indo French business meet which is expected to be attended by over 300 business leaders from the two countries.