French President Sarkozy pitches for India's defence deals
Several companies across the developed world, including France, want to grab a chunk of India’s defence deals,which are mammoth in size. F-16 Fighting Falcon
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday made a major pitch for French companies bidding for Indian defence contracts. He told business leaders that India must think who her real friend was before awarding arms contracts. He said, “Just think who says is your friend....and who proves that.”
As he concluded his address to business delegates from India and France, Sarkozy said, “I don’t speak from notes. I speak from the heart.... The balance of power has changed with a major role for India and France may be the best friend of India.”
In an indication that ‘friendship’ is what pays in terms of defence deals in India, Sarkozy invoked a new partnership with India. Russia, which has historically cornered most of India’s defence deals, has long been considered a ‘true friend,’ mainly because it has supplied equipment which others refused to.
That long-held perception of friendship with Russia, however, is undergoing a change now, and Sarkozy’s France, perhaps fully aware of that, may be trying to fill that vacuum.
Now several companies across the developed world, including France, want to grab a chunk of India’s defence deals, which are mammoth in size and usually coloured by politics and allegations of kickbacks.
As he concluded his address to business delegates from India and France, Sarkozy said, “I don’t speak from notes. I speak from the heart.... The balance of power has changed with a major role for India and France may be the best friend of India.”
In an indication that ‘friendship’ is what pays in terms of defence deals in India, Sarkozy invoked a new partnership with India. Russia, which has historically cornered most of India’s defence deals, has long been considered a ‘true friend,’ mainly because it has supplied equipment which others refused to.
That long-held perception of friendship with Russia, however, is undergoing a change now, and Sarkozy’s France, perhaps fully aware of that, may be trying to fill that vacuum.
Now several companies across the developed world, including France, want to grab a chunk of India’s defence deals, which are mammoth in size and usually coloured by politics and allegations of kickbacks.
| | | Also Read |
| | à | |
| | à | |
| | à | |
| | à | |
| | à |
Sarkozy also reiterated France’s stand on India’s inclusion as a permanent member in the expanded UN Security Council. He again made a call for expansion of the G-8, group of 8 developed countries, and inclusion of India in it.
“I don’t understand why the G-8 meeting to be held in Tokyo is not turned into G-13. Sooner we have a new order, sooner we will have a world to live in peace.” Expressing his frustration at the delay in expansion of the G-8, the president said, “We continue to wait and wait for what?”
The French president stressed India’s increased role in the twenty-first century and the duties it may be expected to shoulder to solve global problems. “We need India to convince Iran that the path it has taken is not good,” Sarkozy said highlighting the geopolitical role India can play in the Asian region.
Sarkozy also called for increased efforts by India in tackling environmental challenges. He said the world must not stop India from pursuing civil nuclear energy programmes if it wants it to tackle pollution and other environmental issues.
Inviting Indian investments in France, he assured Indian business leaders that France offered a conducive atmosphere for it. “France is changing. We have decreased taxes, improved our system and brought in more transparency.”
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
