The Hindu Business Line : France keen on resuming civil nuclear ties with India

Stressing on greater India-France strategic ties in the coming days, based on a shared concern for peace and stability in the world, the Ambassador of France in India, Mr Jerome Bonnafont, said here on Thursday that France was working with India and other parties “to define a system in which India could re-enter the global civil nuclear development arena”.

Speaking at an interactive session organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce here on Thursday, Mr Bonnafont said his country was keen to resume civil nuclear cooperation with India, once the safeguards agreement with IAEA was in place. “The Nuclear Suppliers’ Group first has to grant an exception to India,” he said.

Admitting there was some worry over the raging political debate in India over the country’s proposed civil Nuclear deal with the US, the Ambassador said “France believes that if India should cooperate with the rest of the world in this area, it would be a win-win situation for India”, in terms of gaining access to modern nuclear technology.

As known, France meets 80 per cent of its energy requirements from nuclear energy. He said if India produces non-polluting nuclear energy, in a safe and secure manner, it may be good for the entire world from an environmental point of view.

Trade ties

Pointing out that two-way trade between India and France during the last three years has grown by nearly 55 per cent, he said the target was to double it in the next five years. Food-processing energy development, IT, urban development, cement and construction have been identified as areas of interest for French companies to come and invest in India.

Urging the Indian companies, particularly those in West Bengal, to look closely at the French market, he said France was second in terms of FDI inflow among the OECD nations in Europe after UK, and was a preferred destination for such direct investment. He said a full-fledged Consulate of France, with visa and economic wings, will be set up in Kolkata by the end of 2008.

On direct Air France flights from Kolkata, Mr Bonnafont said a feasibility study was already on to examine this. He said Air France flights from Delhi and Mumbai have been increased in number.

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