Hollande visits India, to discuss deals on civil nuclear energy

The French President Francois Hollande was welcomed by his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi on Thursday.

The leaders of India and France will hold talks to review their strategic ties and discuss the status of several multi billion dollar military and civil nuclear energy deals that India expects to finalize soon, officials said.

The leaders are also expected to discuss deals on civil nuclear energy, space and counter terrorism.India will buy 126 French-made combat aircraft in a potential 11 (b) billion US dollar deal that will increase the might of the world's fourth largest air force with its first Rafale jets.

India has also signed a deal with France's main nuclear power company Areva SA to build two pressurized reactors in Jaitapur in the western state of Maharashtra, the first of 20 India wants to build to meet its soaring energy needs.

The two-day trip is the French president's first to Asia.

Hollande is due to visit Mumbai on Friday to meet top Indian businessmen.


AP