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India, France begin strategic talks on security issues

India and France today initiated their much-awaited strategic dialogue that will focus on nuclear and security issues and make an attempt to build a vibrant relationship between the two countries.

Brajesh Mishra, principal secretary to the prime minister, had a lengthy meeting this afternoon with Gerard Errera, a professional diplomat and special representative of French President Jacques Chirac.

The two are understood to have discussed various global developments since India and Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in May.

However, when contacted, Mishra declined to divulge the details of the talks by merely saying, ''We had wide-ranging discussions''.

Mishra and Errera are scheduled to have another round of discussions later today.

The French diplomat is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Defence Minister George Fernandes tomorrow, before having the final round of his two-day talks with Mishra.

India and France decided to initiate a strategic dialogue during the prime minister's visit to Paris last month to put in place a mechanism for a comprehensive strategic interaction between the two countries.

UNI

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