New Delhi: French President Jacques Chirac landed in New Delhi on Sunday with an aim of bolstering trade and civilian nuclear cooperation with India.
He arrived on a special aircraft accompanied by his wife Bernadette and five ministers, including his Foreign Minister.
Along with several media persons, many top CEOs of French companies also accompanied the French President on his three-day visit to India.
After meeting with French nationals doing business in India, he was to meet members of New Delhi's 8,000-strong French community followed by a private dinner with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
During his visit, India and France will sign a declaration on peaceful nuclear energy, a defence agreement and a memorandum of understanding on tourism.
A formal agreement to acquire 43 aircraft from Airbus Industries for Indian, earlier called Indian Airlines, is also likely to be signed.
The visit follows the one by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Paris in September last year.
Often described as the 'bulldozer' in France, it is said that Chirac advocated the decision to recall the French warship Clemenceau.
For a man of his political pedigree, it made sense to defuse a political hot potato as he winged his way to Delhi.
Another issue, which will be closely watched during the President's visit is how he deals with the Mittal-Arcelor issue.
Chirac is against Mittal moving into Arcelor but wants to boost the sale of French products to India.
Thus, trade, as usual, is a driving concern in the relationship between the two countries. France is looking to India as a potential export market to help its sluggish economy.
Chirac's visit will be followed by the arrival of US President George Bush in early March.
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