Chirac’s visit to add French flavour to R-Day

But the significance of the visit lies in the fact that Paris is believed to have reiterated its faith in a multi-polar world that extends beyond the largely accepted unipolarity of the US, and includes France and India. Chirac is likely to open “discreet talks” with Indian authorities on nuclear cooperation as an expression of this faith, especially since they see the Americans trying to get a forward fix on the Indian nuclear energy market.

“The French Government wants to be very active wherever nuclear plants are going to be built in the near future, and that means China and India,” a French analyst said. Chirac will also pursue a revival of the bilateral civil and military aviation relationship, that fell into a deep hole with Paris’ reported decision to sell sophisticated Mirage 2000-5 fighter aircraft to Pakistan in late 1995.

Former PM Narasimha Rao had then cancelled an Indo-French joint commission, sending a strong measure of displeasure to Paris. The sale with Islamabad never happened. The French are now hoping that India will opt for the European Airbus over the US Boeing when the expansion of the Air India fleet takes place. Prime Minister I K Gujral and his Government are clearly revelling in the fact that the recognition of India, if only as a large market of consumers, has kept the foreign visitors coming this month. So much so that the disappointment over the cancellation of Clinton visit is already dimming.