Taking the NSG approval as an advantage, Prime Minister Manmohan Sing on Monday will leave for US and France to push further the nuclear cooperation. During the 10-day visit, he will address the UN General Assembly on Sep 26. However, the Indo-US Civil Nuclear deal will be the top agenda as the Bush Administration is pushing hard to wrap up the landmark deal before the Congress.
Dr Singh's visit to France is too to address the issue of civil nuclear energy cooperation and so nuclear commerce will dominate the talks between the Indian Prime Minister and France President Nicolas Sarkozy.
During the Indo-European Summit at Marseilles on September 29, India and France will discuss the issue and revised joint action plan adopted in 2006 to strengthen the partnership. The Summit will also deliberate on a joint working programme on energy and climate change. Both countries are also working towards signing a framework agreement to start nuclear commerce between the two countries.
PM on his visit to France said: “I will pay a bilateral visit to France at the invitation of President Sarkozy. India’s relations with France are longstanding and of strategic importance. I am confident that my visit will lead to the further consolidation of our relations in the areas of trade and investment, defence, space, civil nuclear cooperation and high technology.”
Apart from Civil Nuclear Cooperation, the Prime Minister will take up the issue of expansion and reforms in the UN Security Council addressing the world community’s attention to the emerging global challenges such as the food and energy crises, terrorism and progress on the Millennium Development Goals.
On the occasion of his departure to the US and France, Prime Minister said, “India has consistently attached importance to the central role of the United Nations in promoting global peace, stability and development. I look forward to addressing the UN General Assembly and attending the UN High Level Event on the Millennium Development Goals. I will use the opportunity to articulate India’s conviction that the contemporary challenges of our times are best addressed through collective and multilateral approaches.”
Besides attending an Indian community reception, Prime Minister will attend several bilateral meetings with some of the visiting leaders including of China, Italy, Namibia, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom.
Nuclear deal, nuclear cooperation, combating terrorism, climate change, reforms in the UN Security Council and bilateral relations will be on the high on the agenda of Prime Minister's talks with world leaders.
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