India and China are experimental laboratory of God the great. IN one country he is exploring democratic values to evolve 100 crore plus people, in the other he is using strict dicplinarian approach to make people obey and be productive to the nation. It is one of the best story (competition) ever written by God. And God himself is eager to see the results of his two pet boys. So the question is who will win and stand to God's expectations. Will it be India or will it be China. For one we have all the freedom at our feet so that we can sell kidneys. kiil innocnet peole by our Blue line buses and politicians who will defy any logic to make themselves sacrosanct. Well people also get killed in China but in a different manner...So once again anyone who answers this question for God, who will win India or China...becasue God has iinvested his largest human reources (100 crore plus ) in these two countries and have endowed them with rivers, mountains, plains, and all natural riches...To help you please find below a small macro level comparison so that you can answer....1. India is a great country but China is more productive2. India is God's own favourite country (boy) but China is (the street smart son who knows how to trick and move ahead ) a dragon powerhouse3. India is a liberal democratic country with vociferous media but China is disciplined communist rules state with restricted freedom.4. India has good ideology and values but China is more practical.5. India is inherently strong, outwardly weak, China is inherently weak but outwardly strong..6. India has ideas but cannot implement them, China has fever ideas but strong in implementation.7. India is good in creativity but poor in manufactuirng, China is not so strng in creativity but good in manufacturing.8. Both the countries are the oldest civilization of the world9. Both are Asian laggrds with roots in ancient values...10. India has poor relations with neighbours, China has good rlations with neighbours.11. India is growing 8-9 % GDP, China is growing 10-12% of GDP.12. India's foreign reserves are 230 + Billion US Dollars , Chinas foreign reserves are trillion dollars (1528 billion US dollars as on december 2007) 10. India's GDP is close to one trillion mark (actually it crossed the trillion mark but could have come down becasue the weakening of dollar), China is atleast three times more than India's GDP.11. India is trying to make happy United States through its evasive diplomacy, China is challenging United Stes by directy being a competitor to it. 12. India is trying to keep its land intact in Kashmir and other places, China is expanding its lands by adding more - Taiwan, Tibet, Arunacha Pradesh13. Both share equal number of poors...and under developed resources but both are rising fast. (For details visit: http://www.wakeupcall.org/china_india_comparision/china_india_comparision.php ) So God would ask to know who will win the race and where would like to be born in the next birth India or China ..?. The prizes are stupendous: First prize : A free all fare paid return trip to the heavens and meet 'all Apsaras' and a autograph by none other than Yamraj - oops is'nt exciting..and also feed his buffaloo --wow that gives me shivers..Second prize: Develop a SEZ in Indra colony....Direct investment by all the Gods . Send ur entries to: God@gmail.com
Asheesh Shah
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Hilary v/s Obama ----?
The fight between Replblican and democrat candidate will take some time but the interesting duet between Hilary Clinton and Obama is reaching its climax which will come sometime this week end or next week. Looks like Obama will finally get the better of Mrs Clinton as Venus moves into the constellation of sun. So this is the last chance for Hilary to do something drastic to get a better deal. Fortunately Venus will move to capricorn and that will be helpful for Hilary if she is able to use it.
Asheesh shah
12 Feb 2008.
asheesh.shah@gmail.com
Asheesh shah
12 Feb 2008.
asheesh.shah@gmail.com
Anil Ambani- The Energy Man of india
The Energy Man of India
By: Asheesh Shah
Some time back I had written an article in ‘The Pioneer’ (28 September 2006) where in I referred to the acquisition of steel company Arcellor by LN Mittal as the Mittal effect. For the readers of The Economic Times, I have defined the Miller effect as a phenomenon that has given Indians a new identity especially in the European countries. Unlike United States India is not so popular in these countries. But soon after, people in general started to be more curious about Indian business men and its industries. Being part of the French embassy at that time I received many requests for information and tie ups with the Indian Industries.
This time I would like to refer to another phenomenon that is happening. However, instead of giving a name to the phenomenon I would rather provide a nomenclature to the man behind it. The effect may be attributed to ‘the Energy man’ of India. He is none another than the second charismatic leader of Reliance group i.e. Anil Ambani. After the bifurcation of Reliance between the two brothers Anil Ambani has almost overshadowed Mukesh Ambani, the elder son of Dhirubhai who was also known to be the true inheritor of his father’s legacy. To be honest Anil Started as an underdog, when some of the analysts of the time were questioning the ability and competence of this maverick who jogged openly, in the marathons and liked to be seen in the company of stars and politicians to manage the bifurcated group. To the credit of Anil, this maverick runner has run like no other athletic and has not only proved his detractor’s wrong but in a way has lead the race with an unimaginable force, acumen and vision. While Dhirubhai Ambani changed the perception of stock market and fund raising Anil is one step further. He has shown Indians to be ruthlessly ambitious. Like any other superman this energy man has huge appetite for big projects and big dreams. Some time back a research minded friend of mine called up the office of Anil Ambani to discuss a project. But the offer was soon spurned because the project size was quite limited in its overall capacity and structure. All the projects of Anil Ambani have one thing in common i.e. the unlimited size and capacity to deliver. In other words sky is the limits.
Today Anil Ambani is riding on a very high tide. Only a person, who knows how to swim in the super fast currents with lurking sharks and big fishes, can manage to remain afloat. Soon the market will see the opening of Reliance IPO - one of the largest to hit Indian market. Already the market is ripe with rumours of all kind and there have been a slew of emails from unknown sources in favour and against Reliance power. Questions are also being raised about the implementation ability of Anil Ambani. No doubt the sheer size of Reliance power will be a herculean task not only for Anil but for any multinational company. The question that is coming to many ignited minds is “ Will he or Will he not”. The market is caught in an unknown frenzy and fever for the Reliance power IPO.
Looking at the present sentiments of the market, no doubt the IPO will get fully subscribed. People as well as Institutional investors and FIIs will place their trust in Anil Ambani. The race has already started. Reliance Natural resources Limited, Reliance Communications and Reliance Energy the flag ship companies of Anil Ambani are reaching new heights. How fast and efficiently the project will be executed is anybody’s guess at the moment. Just like the Mittal effect, the effect of the energy man of India will be far reaching and lasting. It will generate a new breed of entrepreneurs who will be audacious and bold enough to take risks far excess of their existing capacities and capabilities. It signals the start of full grown capitalism in India which is so far known to exist only in countries like United States and some others. The stakes will be very high and so will be the rewards and risks.
asheesh.shah@gmail.com
By: Asheesh Shah
Some time back I had written an article in ‘The Pioneer’ (28 September 2006) where in I referred to the acquisition of steel company Arcellor by LN Mittal as the Mittal effect. For the readers of The Economic Times, I have defined the Miller effect as a phenomenon that has given Indians a new identity especially in the European countries. Unlike United States India is not so popular in these countries. But soon after, people in general started to be more curious about Indian business men and its industries. Being part of the French embassy at that time I received many requests for information and tie ups with the Indian Industries.
This time I would like to refer to another phenomenon that is happening. However, instead of giving a name to the phenomenon I would rather provide a nomenclature to the man behind it. The effect may be attributed to ‘the Energy man’ of India. He is none another than the second charismatic leader of Reliance group i.e. Anil Ambani. After the bifurcation of Reliance between the two brothers Anil Ambani has almost overshadowed Mukesh Ambani, the elder son of Dhirubhai who was also known to be the true inheritor of his father’s legacy. To be honest Anil Started as an underdog, when some of the analysts of the time were questioning the ability and competence of this maverick who jogged openly, in the marathons and liked to be seen in the company of stars and politicians to manage the bifurcated group. To the credit of Anil, this maverick runner has run like no other athletic and has not only proved his detractor’s wrong but in a way has lead the race with an unimaginable force, acumen and vision. While Dhirubhai Ambani changed the perception of stock market and fund raising Anil is one step further. He has shown Indians to be ruthlessly ambitious. Like any other superman this energy man has huge appetite for big projects and big dreams. Some time back a research minded friend of mine called up the office of Anil Ambani to discuss a project. But the offer was soon spurned because the project size was quite limited in its overall capacity and structure. All the projects of Anil Ambani have one thing in common i.e. the unlimited size and capacity to deliver. In other words sky is the limits.
Today Anil Ambani is riding on a very high tide. Only a person, who knows how to swim in the super fast currents with lurking sharks and big fishes, can manage to remain afloat. Soon the market will see the opening of Reliance IPO - one of the largest to hit Indian market. Already the market is ripe with rumours of all kind and there have been a slew of emails from unknown sources in favour and against Reliance power. Questions are also being raised about the implementation ability of Anil Ambani. No doubt the sheer size of Reliance power will be a herculean task not only for Anil but for any multinational company. The question that is coming to many ignited minds is “ Will he or Will he not”. The market is caught in an unknown frenzy and fever for the Reliance power IPO.
Looking at the present sentiments of the market, no doubt the IPO will get fully subscribed. People as well as Institutional investors and FIIs will place their trust in Anil Ambani. The race has already started. Reliance Natural resources Limited, Reliance Communications and Reliance Energy the flag ship companies of Anil Ambani are reaching new heights. How fast and efficiently the project will be executed is anybody’s guess at the moment. Just like the Mittal effect, the effect of the energy man of India will be far reaching and lasting. It will generate a new breed of entrepreneurs who will be audacious and bold enough to take risks far excess of their existing capacities and capabilities. It signals the start of full grown capitalism in India which is so far known to exist only in countries like United States and some others. The stakes will be very high and so will be the rewards and risks.
asheesh.shah@gmail.com
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Paris - je t'aime
Paris : the city of love and romance
It is recommended that everyone visits Paris atleast once in a lifetime...For the city is unique in its style and the restaurents with tents overhead are a treat to watch and relax...and if you have a good companion with you that will add to the fun ..one will definately fall in love with the city with its charm and romantic feeling. There is certainly love in the air of this famous city.
To start with Paris being the capitol of fashion is indeed a neat and tidy city. To understand its fashion and glamour one needs to take a walk around Champe Elyees where all the big daddies of fashion and glamour world - giovanni, ....are lined up.
But if you are a down to earth person on a budget travel i guess you need to be careful and visit places near Saint demis et la halle which islikesome of our indian markets. here you can also meet some indians and they have shops too in the area.
There are many hotels starting from 50 euros to the top end 200, 300 euros a day...however if you serach the net you will be able to find some hotels and dormitories at 30 euros or less a day...Paris is more or less safe and is well connected ny its metro network so if u find a good budget hotel - may be far from city center - go get it.
Paris has lot of things to visit,,the louvre museum and the eiffel tower are the two most visited places...But there are other chuch (notre damne) and gardens and things also..
Paris has one of the best metro system in the world....one can go to any part of the city in maximum 30 minutes with propr knowledge of metro...
it is recommended that one purchases metro season tickt to travel which will be cheaper..metro tickets are availbale for full day, one week, 10 days, one month and so on..
a seperate book can be written on Paris...
vegeterian should be prepared to see things which they dont like as most of the europe and particulary france etc are predominantly non vegeterians..hence it will be difficult to find a vegeteria hotel and the definition of vegeterain also differs in this part of the world so you must say very clearly what all you eat or what all you dont.However if u go to passade de bardy you will find many indian pakistanis hotel lined up which will give you every sabji and bhaji, riti and chawal and achar and papad,,idli and dosa..stranegley and amusingly many of the hotels owned by pakistanis have an indian name so take the names with a pinch of salt. For example one hotel with a rajputana or somthing is owned by a pakistani.
There are other hotels too that serve veg dishes..One hotel that is also refered in th alonely planet book on paris is worth trying and is in this locality. Then there is one simple south idian who will serve idli for 3 euros and dosa for arnd -7 euros. If you ask politely that u are on a sjprt budget he may also give some small concession to you. The chap is nice to talk and is from south india i think from pondicherry. there is a small Kirana shop just opposite this souh indian restuarent and so if you are feeling home sick you can visit this good kirana shop in Paris..voila...
Euro being 56 rupees france and paris in particular are very expensive places to visit..
Make sure you carry enough money and book your hotel beforehand..
you will also finding indians at some junction , in a metro or at eiffel tower...but only at times...
People are friendly but keep to themselves and will not take the initiative to talk like indians..
Discrimination can be there but is very less and in general one will not encounter as paris has one of the highesr number of tourists and so people are professionals.
if one visits in summer and wintr one may find lot of dicount sales which is the best way to do purchasing otherwise buying anything in europe is a costky affair and does not make sense..as ususal one finds chinese goods spread at many poeple and dont be foolish to buy cheap chinese goods at higher prices
Laffayate is a famous mall offering everything ..and can be visited...There are many other malls near ville de citi which offers sales..
Chalres de gaulle is the international airport and one can reach in 50-70 euros to a hotel from the airport. the airport is in the north most direction of the city.
Taxies wallah are honest by and large but all type of people reside in all type of places..
be also prepared to protect from pick poketters especially in the metros and crowded places.
Paris is well connected to all part of Europe and one can get trains and flights right from the airport CDG. staions are called as 'Gare' in frenh and gare de nord is the big station for taking trains to london or other part of france. similarly Gare de Lyon is also another mahor station. besides the metro station at CDG airport is also good if you dont plan to enter the city. CDG airport is also called as Roissy and one should know that.
One can visit he city safely till 11 pm after that it is a bit risky ..(in general..)
what else....let me know when you are visiting France or Paris next time for information...
Overall a nice place and to visit...atleast once
Asheesh शाह
asheesh.shah@gmail.com
It is recommended that everyone visits Paris atleast once in a lifetime...For the city is unique in its style and the restaurents with tents overhead are a treat to watch and relax...and if you have a good companion with you that will add to the fun ..one will definately fall in love with the city with its charm and romantic feeling. There is certainly love in the air of this famous city.
To start with Paris being the capitol of fashion is indeed a neat and tidy city. To understand its fashion and glamour one needs to take a walk around Champe Elyees where all the big daddies of fashion and glamour world - giovanni, ....are lined up.
But if you are a down to earth person on a budget travel i guess you need to be careful and visit places near Saint demis et la halle which islikesome of our indian markets. here you can also meet some indians and they have shops too in the area.
There are many hotels starting from 50 euros to the top end 200, 300 euros a day...however if you serach the net you will be able to find some hotels and dormitories at 30 euros or less a day...Paris is more or less safe and is well connected ny its metro network so if u find a good budget hotel - may be far from city center - go get it.
Paris has lot of things to visit,,the louvre museum and the eiffel tower are the two most visited places...But there are other chuch (notre damne) and gardens and things also..
Paris has one of the best metro system in the world....one can go to any part of the city in maximum 30 minutes with propr knowledge of metro...
it is recommended that one purchases metro season tickt to travel which will be cheaper..metro tickets are availbale for full day, one week, 10 days, one month and so on..
a seperate book can be written on Paris...
vegeterian should be prepared to see things which they dont like as most of the europe and particulary france etc are predominantly non vegeterians..hence it will be difficult to find a vegeteria hotel and the definition of vegeterain also differs in this part of the world so you must say very clearly what all you eat or what all you dont.However if u go to passade de bardy you will find many indian pakistanis hotel lined up which will give you every sabji and bhaji, riti and chawal and achar and papad,,idli and dosa..stranegley and amusingly many of the hotels owned by pakistanis have an indian name so take the names with a pinch of salt. For example one hotel with a rajputana or somthing is owned by a pakistani.
There are other hotels too that serve veg dishes..One hotel that is also refered in th alonely planet book on paris is worth trying and is in this locality. Then there is one simple south idian who will serve idli for 3 euros and dosa for arnd -7 euros. If you ask politely that u are on a sjprt budget he may also give some small concession to you. The chap is nice to talk and is from south india i think from pondicherry. there is a small Kirana shop just opposite this souh indian restuarent and so if you are feeling home sick you can visit this good kirana shop in Paris..voila...
Euro being 56 rupees france and paris in particular are very expensive places to visit..
Make sure you carry enough money and book your hotel beforehand..
you will also finding indians at some junction , in a metro or at eiffel tower...but only at times...
People are friendly but keep to themselves and will not take the initiative to talk like indians..
Discrimination can be there but is very less and in general one will not encounter as paris has one of the highesr number of tourists and so people are professionals.
if one visits in summer and wintr one may find lot of dicount sales which is the best way to do purchasing otherwise buying anything in europe is a costky affair and does not make sense..as ususal one finds chinese goods spread at many poeple and dont be foolish to buy cheap chinese goods at higher prices
Laffayate is a famous mall offering everything ..and can be visited...There are many other malls near ville de citi which offers sales..
Chalres de gaulle is the international airport and one can reach in 50-70 euros to a hotel from the airport. the airport is in the north most direction of the city.
Taxies wallah are honest by and large but all type of people reside in all type of places..
be also prepared to protect from pick poketters especially in the metros and crowded places.
Paris is well connected to all part of Europe and one can get trains and flights right from the airport CDG. staions are called as 'Gare' in frenh and gare de nord is the big station for taking trains to london or other part of france. similarly Gare de Lyon is also another mahor station. besides the metro station at CDG airport is also good if you dont plan to enter the city. CDG airport is also called as Roissy and one should know that.
One can visit he city safely till 11 pm after that it is a bit risky ..(in general..)
what else....let me know when you are visiting France or Paris next time for information...
Overall a nice place and to visit...atleast once
Asheesh शाह
asheesh.shah@gmail.com
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
understanding france - from travellers diary
France is a lovely country, with large meadows and greenery all around. Surrounded by the pacific and the meditareanean in the west and south, alps in the east and the countries like brussels and UK in the north it has everyting that one would like to see and live with. Cities like Paris, Lyon, Grenoble are the business centres of the country while places like NICe present something unique.
To understand France one must understand that it is one of the most liberal and yet very closely tied country. One wil get all the liberty in the world that one likes to, and yet there is a deeply knited social fabric that is hard to miss.Another interesting feature is that people are very friendly and would like to help for a genuine cause and yet there is some selfishness in the country's basic structure.
France is known as the capitol of luxury and there are luxury everywhere , yet there is also deep poverty within the society that does not comes to the surface before the public eye. Life is easy and yet very difficult.
The main economy is cenetered around tourism, besides, wine, dairy products and strong R and D base in sectors like agriculture and pharmaceuticals. IT and automation are also high.
To live in France one must have good money and or a good job at hand. Labour laws are tough and immigartion is not promoted. To get job in France one must have a french degree and should knoe french well. However that does not mean that one will get job easily. Finally it is the comptenece of the individual that matters. cerain sectors like IT and computer sc. may make life easy if one is really good in these domains.
French people are very proud of their culture and country. However they are also very fun loving and passionate. It is common to have two - twenty affairs in ones life (men women alike) and is not considered a crime or loose personality feature. It is rather easy to find love in France if you are looking for love (men or women) but the relatuonship can be very temporraily depending upon the individuals and what they are looking for.
Like all European countries French people beleive in independent behaviors and will not take obligation. If you are going for a tea or coffee you can pay for yourself and the other person pays for himself/herself...nothing great about it. Finances are tight and so no would pay for you and one should not feel sad about it.
To be continued......
Asheesh Shah
asheesh.shah@gmail.com
n.delhi
india
.
To understand France one must understand that it is one of the most liberal and yet very closely tied country. One wil get all the liberty in the world that one likes to, and yet there is a deeply knited social fabric that is hard to miss.Another interesting feature is that people are very friendly and would like to help for a genuine cause and yet there is some selfishness in the country's basic structure.
France is known as the capitol of luxury and there are luxury everywhere , yet there is also deep poverty within the society that does not comes to the surface before the public eye. Life is easy and yet very difficult.
The main economy is cenetered around tourism, besides, wine, dairy products and strong R and D base in sectors like agriculture and pharmaceuticals. IT and automation are also high.
To live in France one must have good money and or a good job at hand. Labour laws are tough and immigartion is not promoted. To get job in France one must have a french degree and should knoe french well. However that does not mean that one will get job easily. Finally it is the comptenece of the individual that matters. cerain sectors like IT and computer sc. may make life easy if one is really good in these domains.
French people are very proud of their culture and country. However they are also very fun loving and passionate. It is common to have two - twenty affairs in ones life (men women alike) and is not considered a crime or loose personality feature. It is rather easy to find love in France if you are looking for love (men or women) but the relatuonship can be very temporraily depending upon the individuals and what they are looking for.
Like all European countries French people beleive in independent behaviors and will not take obligation. If you are going for a tea or coffee you can pay for yourself and the other person pays for himself/herself...nothing great about it. Finances are tight and so no would pay for you and one should not feel sad about it.
To be continued......
Asheesh Shah
asheesh.shah@gmail.com
n.delhi
india
.
Monday, February 4, 2008
India and France
Let us display the finest Indian tradition to the French President.
Asheesh Shah
Understanding local customs and culture is paramount in building relationship with any country – more so if the country happens to be France, which has a distinctive style of running its international affairs and a vibrant social environment. The French are fiercely independent and are known to take a line completely separate from the United States and its influenced groups. Therefore, while Tony Blair toed the US line to the hilt during the Iraq crisis, the French policymakers decided on prudence to the extent of upsetting the US.
France's terms with India, on the other hand, have been marked by cooperation and kinship – it was one of the first countries to lift sanctions US-led worldwide against India after the 1998 Pokhran nuclear test…
France along with Germany is the undisputed leader of the European Union and represents a powerful international lobby. It has excellent relationship with China and the Arab world, which has been an eyesore to many. The combination of Sarkozy and Bernard Kouchner, the French minister of foreign affairs, is looking towards taking diplomacy to new levels. Both these leaders are different in their approach and can bring radical changes to the way world leaders think and act.
Sarkozy and Kouchner have visited several troubled areas that include a surprise visit to Afghanistan in December 2007. The recent visit by Colonel Gaddafi of France is also a case in point. The French have taken the initiative to bring respectability to Libya, which was largely shunned by the West. In fact, France has promised investment in Libya thus placing more trust in Gaddafi than any other western world leader.
Similarly, the French foreign minister visited Iraq and created ripples in many world capitals. The visit was engineered to bridge differences between the Arab and the western worlds. The French minister expressed solidarity with Iraqis and promised them support. Such high stake diplomatic missions are not seen often and underscore the new thinking in the French government.
As for India's national interest, the French regard India as an important ally. Sarkozy's visit will be the third in a series, after French higher education minister Valerie Pecresse and the benevolent foreign minister Kouchner came calling in the last six months. Recently, the Indian government cancelled a multi-billion dollar defence deal with France. However, taking the loss in his stride, Kouchner said, "We are definitely hurt but there is no use complaining. We shall bid again."
Loss of such a deal could have frozen bilateral ties with any other country but the French have showed remarkable diplomacy and their problem solving approach.
Although India and France have increased bilateral trade, there is vast scope for more joint ventures. Many French companies have a presence in India, the latest being the auto giant Renault while the retail chain leader Carrefour may join soon. France is an acknowledged world leader in nuclear technology, besides traditional and upcoming sectors like aviation, railways and biotechnology. Many French citizens visit India every year and swear to return again. In fact, there is an emotional relationship between India and France, the potential of which has not been explored to the fullest.
Recently the French president appointed Dr Amartya Sen as one of his government's economic advisor. Sarkozy is known to take bold and surprising decisions that could change the dynamics of any relationship. It is therefore necessary that India is able to exploit the opportunity during his visit to the fullest.
India should seek increased French cooperation in joint research and scientific activities. Just like our CSIR, the French have CNRS and INRIA laboratories which are involved in advanced research works. Both the countries can benefit through active collaboration between these organizations, besides academic and student exchange programs. Presently French immigration and labour laws are not very conducive towards foreigners. India can ask for higher concessions in this direction to increase student mobility. France will be more than happy for any joint nuclear and defence cooperation. India can use the French connection as leverage against over- dependence on certain other blocks and can cement some concrete deals. France can help India in sorting issues related to WTO and other sticky issues with the European Union. Finally, to add some flavour, Indian wine makers can always ask for the secrets behind Moet and Chandon, Dom Perignon etc.
Asheesh Shah
Understanding local customs and culture is paramount in building relationship with any country – more so if the country happens to be France, which has a distinctive style of running its international affairs and a vibrant social environment. The French are fiercely independent and are known to take a line completely separate from the United States and its influenced groups. Therefore, while Tony Blair toed the US line to the hilt during the Iraq crisis, the French policymakers decided on prudence to the extent of upsetting the US.
France's terms with India, on the other hand, have been marked by cooperation and kinship – it was one of the first countries to lift sanctions US-led worldwide against India after the 1998 Pokhran nuclear test…
France along with Germany is the undisputed leader of the European Union and represents a powerful international lobby. It has excellent relationship with China and the Arab world, which has been an eyesore to many. The combination of Sarkozy and Bernard Kouchner, the French minister of foreign affairs, is looking towards taking diplomacy to new levels. Both these leaders are different in their approach and can bring radical changes to the way world leaders think and act.
Sarkozy and Kouchner have visited several troubled areas that include a surprise visit to Afghanistan in December 2007. The recent visit by Colonel Gaddafi of France is also a case in point. The French have taken the initiative to bring respectability to Libya, which was largely shunned by the West. In fact, France has promised investment in Libya thus placing more trust in Gaddafi than any other western world leader.
Similarly, the French foreign minister visited Iraq and created ripples in many world capitals. The visit was engineered to bridge differences between the Arab and the western worlds. The French minister expressed solidarity with Iraqis and promised them support. Such high stake diplomatic missions are not seen often and underscore the new thinking in the French government.
As for India's national interest, the French regard India as an important ally. Sarkozy's visit will be the third in a series, after French higher education minister Valerie Pecresse and the benevolent foreign minister Kouchner came calling in the last six months. Recently, the Indian government cancelled a multi-billion dollar defence deal with France. However, taking the loss in his stride, Kouchner said, "We are definitely hurt but there is no use complaining. We shall bid again."
Loss of such a deal could have frozen bilateral ties with any other country but the French have showed remarkable diplomacy and their problem solving approach.
Although India and France have increased bilateral trade, there is vast scope for more joint ventures. Many French companies have a presence in India, the latest being the auto giant Renault while the retail chain leader Carrefour may join soon. France is an acknowledged world leader in nuclear technology, besides traditional and upcoming sectors like aviation, railways and biotechnology. Many French citizens visit India every year and swear to return again. In fact, there is an emotional relationship between India and France, the potential of which has not been explored to the fullest.
Recently the French president appointed Dr Amartya Sen as one of his government's economic advisor. Sarkozy is known to take bold and surprising decisions that could change the dynamics of any relationship. It is therefore necessary that India is able to exploit the opportunity during his visit to the fullest.
India should seek increased French cooperation in joint research and scientific activities. Just like our CSIR, the French have CNRS and INRIA laboratories which are involved in advanced research works. Both the countries can benefit through active collaboration between these organizations, besides academic and student exchange programs. Presently French immigration and labour laws are not very conducive towards foreigners. India can ask for higher concessions in this direction to increase student mobility. France will be more than happy for any joint nuclear and defence cooperation. India can use the French connection as leverage against over- dependence on certain other blocks and can cement some concrete deals. France can help India in sorting issues related to WTO and other sticky issues with the European Union. Finally, to add some flavour, Indian wine makers can always ask for the secrets behind Moet and Chandon, Dom Perignon etc.
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