Business tops Sarkozy's India agenda

On menu are tie-ups in defence, hydrocarbon, nuclear and infrastructure sectors.

India will be looking at a classic French stereotype when President Nicolas Sarkozy lands in India tomorrow morning. The visit will be about business and Bruni, lucre and love. And the Republic Day? Well, it's just another day, after all.

Arguably one of the most complex politicians in the world today, to Financial Times Columnist Christopher Caldwell's question: What does it mean to be a man of the Right, Sarkozy replied: "First, the primacy of work...Second, the need to compensate personal merit and effort...Third, respect for rules, and for authority... Fourth, the belief that democracy does not mean weakness; Fifth, values; Sixth, . . . I am persuaded that, before sharing, you have to create wealth. I don't like egalitarianism."

No surprise then, that Sarkozy, described as " hyperactive, he's ambitious, he's a heavy worker, a workaholic, he never rests" by his biographer, will be focused on business.

At home, he has shown strong protectionist instincts "" he lavished public money to save sick French company Alstom but has also made some unaccountable announcements: He asked French hydrocarbon giant Total to return from Myanmar to protest against the politics of the junta without a thought about the shareholders or the company.

However, in New Delhi, Sarkozy's agenda will be to a get a bigger share of India's business pie. Over the last decade-and-a-half, French investments in India have reached $1.76 billion, which pales in comparison with investments from other countries.

The bilateral trade between the two countries crossed $6.2 billion during 2005-06. Behind these figures are some successes and huge recent failures.

For example, the French-dominated consortium Eurocopter's inability to get the contract for light helicopters worth $600 million. There is no doubt this will be discussed.

The upgrade of some aircraft in the Indian Air Force and supply of six more submarines to the Indian Navy is also on the table. Investments in hydrocarbon, nuclear power, urban infrastructure, and research and development were also expected, said Amit Mitra, secretary general, Ficci.

"There is also scope for collaboration in rail transport and urban infrastructure as a whole. Paris, for instance, is the best city in the world with an incomparable sewerage system," Mitra added.

"French investments in India have been probably because of their engagement with Europe and others. But this is the right time for us to engage with France and we are hoping to see huge collaboration in the hydrocarbon sector. We would want French oil and gas giant Total to have greater presence in India," Mitra said. Total recently launched an LNG import terminal in south-eastern India.

The boring bureaucracy, however, would say nothing about the beauteous Bruni. "If she appears" predicted one, gloomily, "there goes our Republic Day".

Meanwhile, Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen will be invited to France so the "Prix Simone de Beauvoir" prize may be given to her officially, the French Embassy has said in a press release.

"France is grateful to the Indian authorities for all measures they may kindly take to facilitate Nasreen's journey to France", the release said. India had indicated that while it had no objection to Nasreen getting the award, it wanted the ceremony to be held outside India.