French president expected to push deals for fighter planes for IAF and nuclear reactors on 4-day trip; visit to 26/11 police memorial on cards
French president expected to push deals for fighter planes for IAF and nuclear reactors on 4-day trip; visit to 26/11 police memorial on cardsFrench President Nicolas Sarkozy will chase multi-billion euro deals in India for fighter planes and nuclear reactors during a four-day visit, and try to win support for his ambitious G20 agenda of financial reforms.
The French president, who starts his trip today from Bangalore, will lead a delegation of 50 senior businessmen as well as top cabinet officials, including Economy Minister Christine Lagarde.
Sarkozy will go on to visit Agra, Delhi and Mumbai during his tour. In Mumbai on Tuesday, Sarkozy will visit the 26/11 police memorial.
Bravery awardsFrench bravery awards will be given to the staff of the Taj and Oberoi hotels for saving lives during the Mumbai attacks. During the attacks, many of the hotel guests were French.
Sarkozy, who took the helm of the Group of 20 this month, will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday with France hoping for a breakthrough in talks to build two nuclear reactors and supply 126 fighter jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Officials said the most likely deal to be concluded during the trip was a smaller 1.5 billion euro contract for defence electronics group Thales to modernise 51 Mirage 2000 planes for the IAF.
"Will this be settled during the visit? We hope so, but discussions are still ongoing," said a French presidency source.
French nuclear group Areva signed a memorandum of understanding last year with Nuclear Power Corp of India to supply at least two EPR water pressurised reactors, estimated at some seven billion euros.
India has given the green light for construction and suggested a framework contract could be concluded during the visit.
Accompanied by seven of his key ministers, Sarkozy will also have with him a business delegation carrying some of the heavyweights of French industry as well as a large press troupe. His wife Carla Bruni will also accompany him.
The ministers accompanying Sarkozy are Defence Minister Alain Juppe, Foreign Affairs Minister Michele Alliot Marie, Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, Ecology, Transport and Housing Minister Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, Higher Education and Research Minister Valerie Pecresse, Agriculture Minister Bruno Le Maire and Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand.
Taj and DelhiOn Sunday, Sarkozy is expected to finally visit the Taj Mahal in Agra with his wife and will reach Delhi in the evening when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosts a private dinner at his residence.
On Monday, Sarkozy will hold bilateral discussions with Manmohan Singh at Hyderabad House and the 90-minute talks are expected to end with the signing of several agreements.
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The two will also address a joint press conference and this will be followed by a working lunch.
