France, a key player in the P5+1 talks with Iran on its contentious nuclear programme, on Friday asked India to “convince” its “close friend” Tehran to enter into serious negotiations and respect international obligations with regard to nuclear non-proliferation.
French President Francois Hollande also extended an olive branch to Iran during a public lecture here, saying the people of France also consider them as “friends” and urged the oil-rich nation to fulfil its obligations.
Calling India a “power of peace”, Mr. Hollande strongly pitched for the country getting a full-fledged membership at the United Nations Security Council while observing that the security of the world needs India’s presence.
Delivering the Madhavrao Scindia Memorial Lecture to a distinguished audience at the Nehru Memorial Library here, he lavished praise on Indian democracy, its secularism and its “most popular” cinema which is celebrating its 100th year.
In his 25-minute speech during which he spoke at length about international and domestic issues, the French President asked India to use its friendship and influence with Iran to bring it to negotiating table on its controversial nuclear programme.
“We know India and its people are close to Iran and North Korea. It is all the more important that India convinces this great country of Iran to enter into a serious negotiations to respect international obligations and nuclear non-proliferation,” he told the audience.
Observing that India is concerned about the future of Afghanistan after 2014 when NATO forces would leave, Mr. Hollande said Afghans themselves should decide about their future and in this context asked Pakistan to fulfil its commitment to accomplish the objective.
Lauding India’s role in international fora, Mr. Hollande spoke good of New Delhi’s policy of resolving all its disputes through peaceful means and not responding to “provocative actions” thereby avoiding conflicts.
“Today we ask for India to be a full-fledged member of the United Nations Security Council to reflect the current realities. We ask because 17 per cent of humanity is here. We ask because the security of the world needs India’s presence and we ask because India is a power of peace,” he said to a rousing reception from the audience.
Thanking India for its “understanding and support” in France’s fight against terrorism in Mali, the French President said the two countries will continue to cooperate and collaborate in eradicating the menace of terrorism that has its roots in poverty.
“India and France began their strategic partnership in 1998 but I would like to call it an exceptional partnership.
We have had the most sensitive and crucial fight against terrorism and we have more challenges,” he said.
Mr. Hollande also assured India that France would do its bit in strengthening security along the Indian Ocean and would help the Indian mission in its role in the security of the region.
Talking about Indian cinema, he lauded the industry as one of the biggest producers of cinema in the world and said France is “really honoured” to celebrate 100 years of Indian cinema at Cannes this year.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, the French President said the French Revolution had shown the way to the countries which fought for independence and said words like independent and justice no longer belong to his country alone.
Lamenting that only 3,000 of the 17 million students in India come to France for higher studies, he pitched the need to bridge the gap and ensure that more students from India travel to his country for studies.
Keywords: Francois Hollande, nuclear non-proliferation, Hollande India visit, Madhavrao Scindia Memorial Lecture, Iran nuclear programme
Is Hollande an alien from another planet? Did he just wake up on earth? The Iranians are surrounded on all sides by France's ally, that big guy. And of course the Iranians just fart when the French ask them anything, so this toad comes to India and begs that we get involved!?! The Iranians don't even have atomic weapons, no serious nation claims they do, all they have is the means to build them. Libya, Iraq gave up WMDs and paid for it with regime change. North Korea and Syria proved they have WMDs and are allowed deal with their internal affairs as they please. The Iranians would have to be stupid to give up the virtual bomb and India gains nothing from helping the shahibs except maybe a warm fuzzy feeling for our servile leadership.
Now here is a nation (France) trying to forward its own agenda and play politics. Two birds with one stone. Firstly, until 1998 France did not even consider the world's largest democracy worthy enough of its friendship, India was and still might be considered just another third world third-rate nation. It was only after 1990s when India opened its doors to the french fashion and trade, did France think us worthy to establish relations with. Secondly, Iran and India have had long and flourishy cultural and trade relations. Why should India advise or coax Iran against nuclear weapons? Each and every country has a right to have weapons to be able to defend their interests. Iran is not as immature and foolish nation as the west portray it. Israel should not feel threatened and neither should any other nation if Iran develops nuclear weapons. Its their right to do so.
Lets get real here, do you seriously think that Iran will listen to a nuclear India as regards stopping the development of nuclear weapons? Iran sees India as a soft touch anyway, that's why they staged the attack on the Israeli attache last year in New Delhi.
It's good to see Mr Hollande praising the Indian democracy and its
commitment to sort out problems using peace and non-violence. France and
India can look forward to a mutually more fruitful relationship. As for
attracting students, both the governments can start some kind of
institutional partnerships for education and research in different
fields.
Nice Speech from French President Francois Hollande
Are you kidding? India does not have a leverage with in our own region
and now the French President wants India to impact on Iran? No chance, I
say. Iran and its citizen are proud people and India cherishes its
historical relationship with them. I doubt it if India would take this
gauntlet thrown at them. That said, Iran is hurtling towards number of
problems and would take years to recoup from the same, even if the saner
head prevails in months to come!
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