New Delhi: France on February 7 joined India in its efforts to avert a war against Iraq saying that the two countries should extract a joint message of peace in the region since their position was similar on the issue.

"I think it is important for India and France to extract a joint message for peace in the region (Iraq). The positions are extremely similar," French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin told reporters after the ceremonial welcome on the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Raffarin, who arrived in New Delhi on February 6 night from Bangalore after attending the Aero India 2003 air show, said the two sides will discuss all issues with special emphasis on the fight against terrorism and that the French position is "there is no such thing as a good terrorist".

The French leader, who is heading a high-powered delegation including four key ministers and a large business delegation, said, "The visit promises to be extremely positive as friendship between India and France was long-standing and a strong one. The visit will enable us to promote our co-operation still further."

Raffarin, who was received by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha and senior officials and diplomats will hold talks with his counterpart and also be calling on President A P J Abdul Kalam, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhwat and other leaders.

Raffarin and Vajpayee will hold wide-ranging discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral relations besides exchanging views on Iraq crisis, Afghanistan, Middle East developments and other regional and international issues.

The French Prime Minister is accompanied by his Finance, Economy and Industry Minister Francis Mer, Transport and Housing Minister Gilles de Robien, Science and Technology Minister Claudie Haionere and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Renault Muselier.

New Delhi has been appreciative of France emerging as a very important interlocutor and as a member of P-5, G-8 (of which it is the current President) and the European Union.

Significantly, France has been extremely supportive of India's candidature for permanent membership of an enlarged UN Security Council and that New Delhi should take its rightful place in the emerging new world order.

France is India's 15th trading partner and ranks 9th in direct foreign investment in the country. India has a trade surplus of $ 500 million annually with France, exporting goods and services worth $ 1.5 billion.

PTI