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Gen Malik briefs French defence minister about Pak-inspired militancy

Ranvir Nayar in Paris

Development of cooperation between Indian and French defence forces and the state of Indo-Pakistani relations dominated the meeting between Chief of Army Staff General V P Malik and the French defence minister Alain Richard in Paris.

General Malik, who is also chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, is in France on a weeklong visit, the first ever by an Indian army chief to this country. During his stay, Malik called on Richard and he also had a separate round of discussions with a special representative of the French defence minister.

``I explained to him the changed situation on ground and how we look at it now. I also briefed him about the attempts made by India to establish a peaceful dialogue with Pakistan and about the kind of things they have done,'' Malik told rediff.com.

Malik also informed the French defence minister about the recent spate of attacks by the Pakistni-backed militants on army establishments in Kashmir. This is especially crucial since a number of European Union countries, including France, believe that the coup in Pakistan and the subsequent arrival of General Pervez Musharraf as the chief executive of Pakistan is a good sign for peace and stability in the region.

In the recent past, France is believed to have conveyed to India that Musharraf ought to be given a chance and that he appeared to move towards easing of tensions with India.

General Malik's discussion with his French counterpart is especially significant from the point of view of bringing the French and the other Europeans up to date about the real situation on ground and that the new regime in Pakistan only seems bent on increasing cross-border terrorism. The two also discussed bilateral defence relations and agreed to increase cooperation between the armed forces of both the countries.

``It has been a very useful visit. We have been able to discuss at length several issues of great importance to the Indian and the French armed forces,'' is how Malik describes his visit.

In an exclusive interview to rediff.com in Paris at the end of his trip, General Malik said the visit had been very successful since he could exchange views on several issues of strategic importance and also operational matters with his French counterpart, General Jean Pierre Kelche.

Malik led a five-member, all-services team which visited key French defence establishments, including the famous Toulon Naval Base, the Orange Air Force Base and the Montpeiller Infantry School.

Another highlight of the visit was the exchange of operational strategies between France and India, especially the idea of the joint command structure that is already operational in France. ``In this rapidly changing world, we in India have also to move towards a joint command structure. And we are examining a number of models that exist around the world. The French also have a working model and it was very interesting to discuss it with the French authorities,'' says General Malik.

However, he says India cannot straightaway adapt any one model. ``We will have to base it on our requirements and our working conditions. But it is important to see various functioning models and take ideas from there,'' he says.

But the setting up of a joint command could take a while in coming about. ``It is a political decision. We have been talking with the government and they seem to appreciate our point of view, but finally, it has to be their decision,'' the general says.

EARLIER REPORT:
Gen Malik visits Paris to take bilateral defence relations forward

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