NEW DELHI: India and France are set to sign a declaration on nuclear energy development for peaceful purposes and an agreement on defence cooperation during the February 19-21 state visit of French President Jacques Chirac to New Delhi.

ANTRIX, commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will sign a contract with EADS Astrium to jointly build a satellite for Eutelsat, while a memorandum of understanding will be concluded between the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and the French École Supérieure des Sciences Économiques et Commerciales.

Mr. Chirac, who will hold substantive meetings on February 20, will be accompanied by French Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Economy, Finance and Industry, Foreign Trade and Tourism and around 30 senior chief executive officers of leading French companies.

"President Chirac's visit closely follows the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to France in September 2005 and is a strong reflection of the commitment of India and France to vigorously pursue their strategic partnership by intensifying bilateral cooperation over the various areas of their engagement including political, economic, defence, space and civil nuclear energy," the External Affairs Ministry spokesman said.

Mr. Chirac visited India as Prime Minister in 1976 and as President in January 1998. On both occasions, he was the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade. Mr. Chirac, who will hold talks with Dr. Singh in Hyderabad House, will also meet President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Bilateral trade

Currently, bilateral trade between India and France stands at {euro}3.5 billion and the two sides have committed to doubling this figure in the next five years. French foreign investment in India is in the region of $760 million.

Referring to the agreements on civilian nuclear cooperation and defence that will be signed during Mr. Chirac's visit, French Ambassador Dominique Girard said that these were "highly important" accords.

"Our two nations now more than ever before have a major responsibility in relation to the rest of the international community and the promotion of peace and development. The strategic partnership that they [India and France] have forged with one another must be based on sound and coordinated defence systems," Mr. Girard said in a publication on Indo-French relations.

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