French President Nicolas Sarkozy and French first lady Carla Bruni Sarkozy arrived in India on Saturday on a four-day visit to the country. This is Sarkozy's second visit to India after 2008 when he was the chief guest for Republic Day.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and French First Lady Carla Bruni Sarkozy, accompanied by a high level delegation, arrived in India on Saturday on a four-day visit to the country.
While the primary focus of the trip was to discuss the Indo-French nuclear reactor deal, the couple managed to visit some of the country's most famous monuments and catch a glimpse of India's rich cultural heritage.
The French President and his wife visited the famous Taj Mahal on their first day itself.
It was French First Lady Carla Bruni Sarkozy's first time in India and clearly mesmerised by the country she said, the visit was like a dream.
Here's a look.
It was Sarkozy's second visit to India after 2008 when he was the chief guest for Republic Day. (AP Photo)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and French first lady Carla Bruni Sarkozy sit inside a car after their arrival at The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport in Bangalore. (AFP Photo)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy backed India's bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as he addressed over 500 scientists, captains of industry and students at the Indian Space Research Origination centre in Bangalore. (AFP Photo)
Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni Sarkozy speak with Indian officials as they visit a 'white room', at The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) satellite centre in Bangalore. (AFP Photo)
French First Lady Carla Bruni Sarkozy, flanked by her husband President Nicolas Sarkozy, is offered flowers as they are greeted upon arrival at the Indian Space Research Organization. (AFP Photo)
Nicolas Sarkozy and wife Carla Bruni Sarkozy visit a satellite exhibition. (AFP Photo)
In this pic, Carla Bruni Sarkozy points out something to Nicolas Sarkozy as the two visit a satellite exhibition at the Indian Space Research Organization. (AFP Photo)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy could not wait to keep his date with Taj Mahal in the company of his wife Carla Bruni. The French First Couple advanced their visit to the monument of love here by a day.
Sarkozy, who had last visited the Taj alone in 2008 could not bring Carla, then his girlfriend, due to protocol reasons. (PTI Photo)
On Monday, a delegation-level talks and a working lunch with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been planned in Delhi.
The last top level visit between the two countries was Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's grand reception in France in 2008 as the chief guest for French Bastille Day.
The French President will then head to Mumbai where he will visit the 26/11 police memorial in Mumbai. French bravery awards will be given to the staff of the Taj and Oberoi hotels for saving lives during the Mumbai attacks. During the attacks, many of the hotel guests were French.
A deal for French nuclear reactors is likely to be on the top of the agenda and last minute negotiations are on to make a big announcement during the visit. The French are hoping to give pending defence deals a push.
Both India and France are keen give a boost to business after trade between two countries declined in 2009 post the economic crisis.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy waves as First Lady Carla Bruni looks as they pass the Buland Darwaza during their visit to Fatehpur Sikri, a ruined 16th-century Mughal city on December 5, 2010. The French President is on a four-day visit to India.
The Sarkozys visited the famous Fatehpur Sikri dargah of saint Salim Chisthi and prayed for a son just like Mughal Emperor Akbar did centuries ago. (AFP Photo)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy arrive at the Taj Mahal Palace in New Delhi on December 5, 2010. The French president is on a four-day official visit to India. (AFP Photo)
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and French President Nicolas Sarkozy pose with their respective spouses Gursharan Kaur and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy in New Delhi on December 5, 2010. The French President is on a four-day official visit to India. (AFP Photo)
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur welcome France's President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy at the Prime Minister residence in New-Delhi, on December 5, 2010. (AFP Photo)
