Monday, Dec 16, 2002
Monday, Dec 16, 2002 |
| International | ||
|
News:
Front Page |
National |
Southern States |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | International
By Vaiju Naravane
These discussions have been held regularly and this will be the 12th such meeting between the two Foreign Secretaries, the last one being held in New Delhi on April 2, 2001. Kashmir, Indo-Pak. relations, Iraq and bilateral cooperation between the two countries will be on the agenda. The two Secretaries are also expected to examine the question of Indian defence purchases from France. The French are reportedly dismayed that the estimated $1.8 billion contract for the purchase of Scorpene submarines by India from France has still not been finalised. Although an agreement was reached for the purchase of the submarines last June, India, according to informed sources here, is not taking any definite steps to conclude the deal, giving rise to a certain degree of frustration, even irritation, in French quarters. An announcement was expected in September or October but there is unlikely to be any development before next year at the earliest. The dossier, informed sources say, is still doing the rounds at the Ministry in New Delhi. As concerns Pakistan, while France supports India's fight against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, French officials have always held that isolating Pakistan is no solution and India's continued insistence on economic curbs or sanctions against Pakistan are unlikely to get a sympathetic hearing in Paris. India is annoyed that more is not being done to pillory Pakistan for its continued support to terrorists operating in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere in the country. India is also likely to make known its unhappiness at the double standards employed by the West in dealing with Pakistan, especially now that the extent of cooperation between Pakistan and North Korea has been revealed. India is keen to know more about the French position on Iraq, especially about a French response to any unilateral action by United States President, George Bush, against Saddam Hussain. India, like France, will find itself in an uncomfortable position if the hawks carry the day in Washington and decide on unilateral action, sidelining the French proposal for a second U.N. Resolution calling for an attack against Iraq if the country is found to be in material breach. The two Secretaries will also discuss details of upcoming visits and events between India and France. The Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, will be here on an official visit between January 22 and 24. The French Prime Minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, will be visiting India in early February accompanied by a high-level delegation of businessmen and Ministers, including finance, defence, transport, foreign cooperation and industry.
Printer friendly
page
News:
Front Page |
National |
Southern States |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | The Sportstar | Frontline | Home |
Copyright © 2002, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|
