While Dr Singh did not respond on Pakistan, he did speak on Iran in what is being seen as a very strong condemnation of Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons. The prime minister said there was no question of supporting the nuclear weapons ambitions of Iran.
Dr Singh said India does not support a nuclear weapons State in the neighbourhood and there was no question of support to Iran on this. He said Iran is entitled to develop its civilian nuclear programme but since it's a signatory to the NPT, it has certain obligations under the NPT and these would have to be honoured by Iran.
President Sarkozy echoed the prime minister’s views. He said, "Iran needs to be deterred from going ahead with its nuclear programme."
There is not only concern but unanimity not only within the European Union but also in the United Nations where the issue has been raised amidst strong condemnation. A similar view was taken in the India-EU summit in Marseilles during the meeting on Monday morning.
Dr Singh said India and EU had agreed to achieve an annual bilateral trade turnover of 100 billion Euro within the next five years and to work towards the conclusion of the India-EU Broad-based Trade and Investment agreement by the end of 2009.
They revised the joint action plan adopted in 2005 and agreed to open news areas of co-operation.
Image: French President Nicholas Sarkozy with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Also read: 'India values nuclear partnership with France'
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