FRANCE AND INDIA RELATIONS INTRODUCTION

The warm relations between India and France have received a further boost in reccni :l nes. This was evident when on a hot, golden summer’s day, with, over 5,000 guests crowding the lawns and the gilded salons of the Elysee Palace, French President Nicolas Sarkozy paid rich tribute to India saying he was happy and privileged to welcome Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Dr. Singh was the chief guest at the Bastille Day military parade ot July 14. Mr. Sarkozy described India as “one billion people and a friend of France” and said Dr. Singh had beer, recently “re-elected by over 700 million people to head the largest democracy in the world.” India was the guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade in France. .Mr. Sarkozy made his remarks while introducing Dr. Singh to his guests after a work­ing lunch. This year marks the 220lh anniversary of ‘lie French Revolution which took place on July 14, 17S9.

Apart from terrorism and the moot question of how best to combat it which occupied prime attention in the talks between Dr. Singh and Mr. Sarkozy, the situation in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, West Asia and the Gulf were some of the key issues that received particular attention during the discussions over lunch. Here it must also be men­tioned that furthering cooperation in the defence and nuclear sectors also featured high on the agenda. France hopes to sell Rafale fighter planes to India under a contract valued at $ 12 billion and the French company Areva is close to finalising agree­ments with the Nuclear- Power Corporation of India Limited. The warm relations between India and France have been climbing the ladder to attain new level very rapidly in recent years which is certainly mutually beneficial for both the countries and an annual leadership summit has now become the norm. What needs to be noted here is that there is a strong convergence of interest on growing threats posed by terrorism which has to be nullified by sustained and combined efforts and both Dr. Singh and Mr. Sarkozv agreed to further strengthen co­operation in this regard.

It also needs to be mentioned here that before the glittering, select and distinguished crowd in atten­dance at the French Preside!!1 ’s traditional garden party, Dr. Singh minced no words in making a strong case for further stft-nglhening the strategic partnership that had deve­loped between both the countries since 1998. He said it was “a rare privilege and a great honour for India’s armed forces to be invited to take part in the grand spectacle that is the 14th of July parade.” Recalling the 1789 French Revolution that bastille Dav or the French National Day seeks tii commemorate, Dr. Singh said : ‘Two hundred and twenty years ago, this great city saw the emergence et a powerful voice, the universal recognition of the ideals of Liberie, Equality and Fraternity. These ideals have changed the course of history. Our own freedom struggle look inspiration from the French Revolu­tion and guided the fathers ol our Constitution.” Dr. Singh further said that he would like to see the strategic partnership   between   India and France strengthen dav by day and everyday so that we may work for human    rights,    human dignity throughout the world. Mr. Sarkozv said that India was a major force in the 21st century which would fully realise its great power potential. It must also be mentioned here thai 40!) Indian soldiers from the Maratiia Light Infantry and contingents from the Navy and the Air Force with their accompanying bands entertained and impressed French crowds with their quick, elegant, precision marching and impressive uniforms.