India and France on February 20 signed a declaration on civilian nuclear technology cooperation even as New Delhi made it clear that any future nuclear technologies acquired through international cooperation would be subject to international safeguards.

After two-hour long talks, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and French President Jacques Chirac described the signing of the declaration on development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes as an “important step forward” towards realization of the objective of the two countries to conclude a bilateral agreement in the area.

The two “agreed to continue to work together towards the fulfillment of that objective,” a joint statement issued after the talks said, while recalling last September 12 statement on the issue.

Addressing a joint conference, with Chirac, Dr Singh said: I confirm that all facilities procured by India through international cooperation for civilian nuclear energy will of course be subject to international safeguards. If any facilities that may become available to India in future through international cooperation will be subjected to safeguards of IAEA.”

About opening up the existing nuclear facilities to international inspection, Dr Singh said India would honor “in letter and spirit” the July 18 Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement, thereby suggesting that separating the civilian and military facilities would be based on India’s own discretion.

Responding to a question, Chirac voiced his country’s unequivocal support to India’s civilian nuclear energy requirements in view of the country’s growing economic and developmental needs.

“France is supportive of India on two principle -- one on moral grounds as India needs help in development, and also since it is a responsible country, it should be able to procure energy sources that do not emit greenhouse gases,” he said.

“The longstanding ties of friendship and understanding between the two countries will be further strengthened.”

Dr Singh expressed gratitude to France for its principled position in promoting cooperation between India and the nuclear suppliers group members.

Earlier, the two leaders held long delegation-level talks on various aspects of bilateral relations.

The discussions focused mainly on taking forward the strategic partnership by further strengthening bilateral cooperation in a wide array of fields including political, economic, defense, space, civilian nuclear energy, education and research.

The two countries also signed eight other agreements for cooperation in various sectors including defense, commerce and industry, tourism, culture, space and civil aviation and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for cooperation in energy and management areas.

A state-owned Indian airline finalized a deal to buy 43 Airbus jets.

Terming cooperation in the space sector as an important aspect of India’s relations with France, Dr Singh said this “is progressing well”.

“We also deeply appreciate France’s support to India’s candidature for permanent membership of the UN security council,” he said.

Noting that there existed untapped potential, he asked French companies to take advantage of India’s rapid economic growth and science and technology potential.

While recalling the pledge made by the two leaders to double bilateral trade within five years, he said they had identified infrastructure, IT, pharmaceuticals, environment, advanced and new technologies, food processing, automobiles and aeronautics as priority sectors for forging business partnerships.

During the talks, the Prime Minister was assisted by defense minister Pranab Mukherjee, finance minister P Chidambaram, and tourism minister Ambika Soni.