Reflecting renewed desire to boost bilateral ties in the field of education and art, France on Monday said it would welcome more Indian students in its universities and have a policy of scholarships and exchange programmes in this regard.

A major exhibition of art tracing Indian history to Gupta period will also be held in the Grand Palais here in 2007, the two countries said in a joint statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and French President Jacques Chirac.

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India and France underline the vitality of India-France scientific, technical and educational cooperation.

'In order to further strengthen this relationship, the president of the French republic conveyed France's willingness to welcome more Indian students into French universities, and towards this end, to put in place an ambitious policy of scholarships and exchange programmes,' the statement said.

With regard to the exhibition, it said 'It will be an occasion to share this unique Indian cultural heritage with a large French audience.'

The Chirac-Singh joint statement