India has been trying to sign an extradition treaty with as many countries as possible in view of threats posed by terrorism, Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani said on Monday.

"It is not India alone which is having to bear the brunt of terrorism... Now of course after September 11, everyone is conscious of it, and so more and more countries are willing to sign treaties which enable them to face the problem," Advani told Star TV, ahead of his five-day tour of France and Qatar beginning on Tuesday.

This is Advani's first official visit to Paris and he said the principal purpose of the visit was to sign an extradition treaty with France.

Advani said extradition and mutual legal assistance treaties, including formation of joint working groups, help in sharing of intelligence and leads to coordinated action against terrorism.

The deputy prime minister will also hold wide-ranging talks on bilateral and international issues with French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin and Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy.

In Qatar he will  hold talks with the leadership on bilateral ties besides exchanging views on issues of regional and international concern including the Iraq crisis and developments in the Middle East.