Monday, September 12 2005 14:19 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Paris: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Sept 12, 2005) sought to ally apprehensions in Paris that India's 'privileged relations' with the United States would 'prejudice' Indo-French cooperation in the field of defence.

"A window has been opened with the United States. Our defence programmes are based on the principles of tenders. I have no reason to think that the relations with France will be affected by our partnership with the United States," he said in an interview to the leading French daily Le Figaro.

French competence in defence matters was well known and 'you are at the outpost of savoir-faire and of technology,' the Prime Minister said.

Making a strong case for India on lifting of restrictions on transfer of technology and equipment on civil nuclear programme, he cited New Delhi's 'irreproachable conduct' in non-proliferation matters and asserted that there was no risk that help given to India's civil nuclear programme could bring prejudice to anyone.

Singh noted that although New Delhi was not a member of nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it fulfilled the majority of its conditions. India has declared unilateral moratorium on nuclear tests and nobody could accuse it of having contributed to proliferation of sensitive technologies.

India was seeking international help only to develop its civil nuclear programme, which it was separating from its military nuclear programme.

"In addition, by contributing to the fight against proliferation, India will help to widen the gap between the threat of the link between international terrorists and weapons of mass destruction," Singh said.

He urged France to play a major role in dismantling restrictive regimes imposed by Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) consisting of some 40 countries, which has denied India nuclear reactor and fuel for its civilian nuclear energy.

Reacting to the agreement he had signed in July with US President George W Bush, who had promised to work with the US Congress and NSG members to remove restrictions on transfer of technology to India in this field, Singh expressed the hope that France which has always 'supported us in our aspirations in this respect' would play a major role to help India.

Singh indicated that if the restrictions are lifted India would import reactors from France.

"France is eminently qualified to play this role," he said.

When the interviewer pointed out that Pakistan was already asking for the same exemption as given to India in this regard, the Prime Minister said "I will make no more comments on other countries. India is a democracy that works well. Our political system offers sufficient guarantees ensuring that we keep our engagement."