Manmohan Singh's Visit to France

There is nothing unusual when a head of state or government goes to visit other countries. In this light, Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's recent visit to France can be viewed as a routine visit. However, the significance of this visit increases manifold when one realizes that Dr. Singh was invited to be the chief guest at France's National Day. He became the first Indian head of government who was accorded that rare honor on the occasion of France's Bastille Day.

France's Bastille Day
Bastille Day has a special place in France's history. On July 14, 1789, French revolutionaries had attacked Bastille prison and got all prisoners released, and it was at this place that the struggle against dictatorship commenced on this very day. The struggle succeeded in the establishment of democracy in France.

By extending invitation to the Indian prime minister to be the chief guest on this historic occasion, France has not only honored Indian democracy, but at the same time, it has accepted India as an emerging power in the world.

Undoubtedly Dr. Singh's France visit assumes greater significance as it would further strengthen and cement mutual relations between the countries. Otherwise also, it is inappropriate for India to depend entirely upon the United States on global issues. There are several burning issues like supply of nuclear fuel and permanent membership of the UN Security Council in which India can benefit from its cooperation and help.

At the same time, there are several such sectors including IT in which France can benefit from India. In view of this, the meeting between the two heads does not remain a mere formality but can play a significant role in further development of bilateral relations.

Indo-French Relations
Relations between India and France started growing from 1990, but during Dr. Singh era, these relations have gone from strength to strength. During 2005-2009, heads of the two countries continued to visit each other from time-to-time. This is Dr. Singh's third visit to France, which implies that New Delhi attaches great significance and importance to its relations with France.

After the civil nuclear deal between India and the US, and after the green signal was received from the Nuclear Suppliers' Group, France was among the first countries to express deep interest in nuclear trade with India.

In 2008, the two countries signed a nuclear agreement. Though the G-8 group, at its summit held at L'Aquila in Italy recently, has resolved not to transfer the technology of enrichment of Uranium and reprocessing technology to others, yet from India's viewpoint, it becomes important what attitude France adopts with regard to its nuclear agreement with India, in light of the G-8 decision.

If the ban decided to be imposed by the G-8 at L'Aquila takes a practical shape, it may create problems for India. However, despite all these issues, the prime minister would sign an agreement to set up two 1,650-MW nuclear reactors in Maharashtra during his meeting with the French President Nicolas Sarkozy. This is a significant initiative in the energy sector in Maharashtra, as also highly significant for mutual cooperation in the field of nuclear fuel between India and France.

There are huge possibilities of increasing bilateral trade, foreign investment, transfer of high technology, and cooperation in the fields of space, defense, and education. Useful discussions are expected to be held between the leaders. As far as bilateral trade is concerned, the two countries have resolved to take the trade to Euro 12 billion by 2012. The visit of Dr. Singh would prove beneficial in reaching that goal.

On the whole, Dr. Singh's France visit would prove beneficial in various fields of human endeavours, and bring India and France closer.