Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Jacques Chirac reaffirm the strategic partnership between India and France and commit themselves to further strengthening and deepening the relationship.
Dominique de Villepin replaces Jean-Pierre Raffarin, dumped after voters on Sunday roundly rejected Chirac's call for the ratification of a European Union constitution.
Joining leaders from the US, United Kingdom and other countries, French President Jacques Chirac congratulated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his assumption of office.
French President Jacques Chirac will arrive in New Delhi on Sunday on a three-day visit
French President Jacques Chirac said Zidane is a man who represents at the same time all the most beautiful values of sport, the greatest human qualities one can imagine, and who has honoured French sport and, simply, France.
Several bilateral economic agreements were expected to be signed on Thursday.
AITUC Deputy Secretary H Mahadevan said his union would oppose attempts to make India what he called a 'dumping ground for richer countries' toxic waste'.
Chirac is on the second day of a four-day visit dominated by promotion of French business in China.
Image of Chirac, who made controversial remarks on Iran N-programme
French President Jacques Chirac has said Islamic head scarves are a sort of 'aggression' that is difficult for his countrymen to accept.
Sikh school children wearing turbans held a protest march against France's ban on the distinct headdress at state schools.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is set to grace the upcoming Republic Day celebration in the national capital as the Chief Guest, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday.
The agreements included a declaration on nuclear energy and a pact on defence cooperation.
Strategic expert B Raman on the post-poll scenario in Pakistan
The joint statement released by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and French President Jacques Chirac pledges co-operation in various fields economic, military co-operation, environment, space, energy security and others.
Chirac said that such a move will allow companies like Areva SA to supply nuclear plants to meet India's growing energy needs.
The sources said evolving public opinion in favour of the agreement would not be difficult in France, unlike that of the US.
The new French President Francois Hollande has pledged to continue France's strategic partnership with India with same vigour as his predecessors Jacques Chirac and Nikolas Sarkozy who belonged to rival parties.
Sarkozy will replace 74-year-old President Jacques Chirac.
Last year's open-water swim competitions took place at the French capital's Parc de la Villette in northern Paris.
France's highest court has ordered Le Clemenceau, the decommmissioned aircraft carrier, to stay out of Indian waters, pending a suit by environmental campaigners.
Its latest member is a Frenchman. Bernard Arnault's fortune is now estimated at $100.4 billion.
Girard said the submarine deal reflected not only the industrial capability of French companies but also their experience.
The statement said there would be efforts to put in place an ambitious policy of scholarships and exchange programs.
In a major defence deal, India on Monday decided to acquire six highly advanced French Scorpene submarines worth $3 billion.
French President Jacques Chirac has said that he was planning to visit India early next year.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on Saturday, left London for home after a three-day visit to Britain during which he participated in the G8 Summit.
