Sarkozy seeks civil nuclear deal with India

By Emmanuel Jarry

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy visited India on Friday to cement ties with a booming Asian economic power, trying to boost civil nuclear cooperation and defence deals.

Sarkozy also echoed Britain's recent support for India's bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, where Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States have wielded exclusive veto power since 1945.

Sarkozy voiced support for India's controversial nuclear deal with the United States. If finalized, the deal would allow civil nuclear technology exporters like France to participate in a billion-dollar business with India.

The deal aims to give India access to U.S. nuclear fuel and equipment for the first time in more than 30 years, even though India has tested nuclear weapons and refused to join non-proliferation agreements.

"France will be an advocate for India over access to civilian nuclear (technology)," Sarkozy told reporters.

A joint declaration between the two governments said that "France and India have finalized negotiation in regard to reaching a bilateral agreement for civil nuclear cooperation."

In a possibly controversial move, France also announced on Friday that the government will give a prestigious award, the Prix Simone de Beauvoir, to Taslima Nasreen, a Bangladeshi author exiled in India who recently sparked riots by Muslims offended by her books.

Threats against her have forced authorities to indefinitely house her in a secret security facility in New Delhi, which she has described as "solitary confinement". The Indian government came under attack by the Hindu-nationalist opposition last year for failing to give her enough vocal support.