Chirac comes calling

French President Jacques Chirac inspecting the guard of honour at the Rashtrapati Bhawan during his ceromonial reception on February 20.

India and France also signed a landmark document on civilian nuclear cooperation. They have also signed a defence pact, with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declaring that New Delhi would place its nuclear facilities acquired in the 'future' through international cooperation under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.

After extensive talks, Singh and Chirac described the inking of the Declaration on Development of Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purposes as an 'important step forward' towards realisation of the objective of both countries to conclude a bilateral agreement in this area.