I am a great admirer of Manmohan Singh: Sarkozy

BANGALORE: French President Nicolas Sarkozy today said he is a "great admirer" of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as he praised the Indian leader's "obsession" with peace, development and eradication of poverty in the country.

Describing himself as a "great admirer" of Singh whom he knew since he was Finance Minister, Sarkozy, in an address at ISRO Satellite Centre here, said whenever the Prime Minister meets him he talks about this obsession.

If India succeeded in these goals, it would rub-off on the entire world, he added.

Sarkozy also said development and enviornment protection can go hand-and-hand and added "let's not get embroiled in vain and sterile North-South debate (in this regard)".

He said G20 -- France takes over its rotating presidency this month -- would come out with innovative financing for "countries like yours" for sustainable development vis-a-vis environment protection.