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India, France sign document on civilian nuclear cooperation

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, Feb 20, IRNA
India-France-Joint Statement
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the visiting French President Jacques Chirac today signed a landmark document on civilian nuclear cooperation and a defence pact, declaring that New Delhi would place its nuclear facilities acquired in "future" through international cooperation under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.

After extensive talks here Manmohan Singh and Jacques Chirac described the inking of the Declaration on Development of Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purposes as an "important step forward" towards realization of the objective of the two countries to conclude a bilateral agreement in this area.

The two countries "agreed to continue to work together towards the fulfillment of that objective", a joint statement issued after the talks said, while recalling the statement of September 12 last year in this regard.

Addressing a joint press conference with Chirac, Singh also made it clear that India was committed to honoring in "letter and spirit" the July 18 Indo-US Joint Statement issued after his talks with President George W Bush in Washington when the two sides signed the landmark civilian nuclear deal.

India and France signed an agreement on defence cooperation, with both sides noting it as an important element in the Strategic Partnership between the two nations, building upon and expanding cooperation in various areas including procurement, production and research and development of defence material.

The President of France reiterated his country's firm support for India's candidature of permanent membership of the Security Council.

India and France share common views on major international issues and call for the reform of the United Nations system to make it more representative and effective in meeting both traditional and non- traditional global challenges.

Singh thanked Chirac for his "strong and consistent" support to India's energy security.

Describing India's relations with France, a global power, as "special and privileged", the Prime Minister said Chirac is a respected senior world statesman and a "true friend" of this country.

He said the positive momentum in bilateral ties has been maintained and strengthened by Chirac's visit. The French President is undertaking second Presidential visit in eight years.

Noting that there existed untapped potential, he asked French companies to take advantage of India's rapid economic growth and science and technology potential.

Recalling the pledge made by the two leaders to double bilateral trade within five years.

Seven other pacts in the field of space, commerce, education, tourism, environment, culture and civil aviation.

Prime Minister Singh had visited France in September last year while he was on his way to attend the 60th session of the UN General Assembly.

President Chirac had visited India as Prime Minister in 1976 and again as President in January 1998. On both occasions, he was the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade.

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