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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is set to have a busy diplomatic calendar in the first half of 2013 with a slew of bilateral engagements lined up.
Two major visits are scheduled in the middle of February with new French President Francois Hollande and UK Prime Minister David Cameron coming to India on separate visits.
While Hollande will focus on expanding economic ties, fast-tracking the Rafale (a multi-role combat fighter) deal,which is in the midst of financial negotiations, will be akey topic. Hollande will also flag Paris's commitment to nuclear ties with India and would press for India clearing the final hurdles for the Jaitapur nuclear power plant where French company Areva is set to supply reactors.
Singh and Hollande had met onthe sidelines of the G20 summit in Los Cabos on June 19, 2012, and this will be their second meeting. Singh shared a good chemistry with former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and the South Block is now hoping that the PM will be able to forge a bond with the new French premier as well.
During Sarkozy's second visit to India in December 2010, the relationship between India andFrance had blossomed-especially in the key areas of civil, nuclear, space and defence co-operation. The emphasis this time will be on maintaining the momentum in the relationship.
A week after the French President's visit, Cameron will land in Delhi. The UK PM's visitwill focus on economic diplomacy and Cameron will also provide the British perspective on stabilising Afghanistan in the post-2014 scenario, when most foreign troops will leave the country.
India and the UK have a shared interest in countering terrorism and stabilising Afghanistan, and ensuring that radical Islamic groups areneutralised in Pakistan is key to that goal. Real-time intelligence sharing and how to make it effective will also figure in the discussions with the British premier, and Singh can take some lessons from effective strategy by Britain to prevent incidents of terrorism, especially during the London Olympics last year.
Cameron's visit comes after the visit of London mayor Boris Johnson, who many believe is a strong contender for the UK Prime Minister's post. Both clearly realise that it makes strategic sense to engage with India, given the strong influence of the Indian diaspora and business in British politics.
But even as the finer details of these two big visits are being worked out, the PM may make a dash to Tokyo before the Budget session of Parliament to meet new Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The visit holds significance asAbe has invested heavily in building a good relationship with India.
Besides, a stronger relationship with Japan is important for India's Look Eastpolicy and will help us tackle China, which is currently engaged in a bitter duel with Japan.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel Manmohan is also scheduled to visit Germany for a bilateralsummit meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, which may take place in April.
Manmohan Singh's foreign mission in 2013 to perk up ties : North, News - India Today
Two major visits are scheduled in the middle of February with new French President Francois Hollande and UK Prime Minister David Cameron coming to India on separate visits.
While Hollande will focus on expanding economic ties, fast-tracking the Rafale (a multi-role combat fighter) deal,which is in the midst of financial negotiations, will be akey topic. Hollande will also flag Paris's commitment to nuclear ties with India and would press for India clearing the final hurdles for the Jaitapur nuclear power plant where French company Areva is set to supply reactors.
Singh and Hollande had met onthe sidelines of the G20 summit in Los Cabos on June 19, 2012, and this will be their second meeting. Singh shared a good chemistry with former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and the South Block is now hoping that the PM will be able to forge a bond with the new French premier as well.
During Sarkozy's second visit to India in December 2010, the relationship between India andFrance had blossomed-especially in the key areas of civil, nuclear, space and defence co-operation. The emphasis this time will be on maintaining the momentum in the relationship.
A week after the French President's visit, Cameron will land in Delhi. The UK PM's visitwill focus on economic diplomacy and Cameron will also provide the British perspective on stabilising Afghanistan in the post-2014 scenario, when most foreign troops will leave the country.
India and the UK have a shared interest in countering terrorism and stabilising Afghanistan, and ensuring that radical Islamic groups areneutralised in Pakistan is key to that goal. Real-time intelligence sharing and how to make it effective will also figure in the discussions with the British premier, and Singh can take some lessons from effective strategy by Britain to prevent incidents of terrorism, especially during the London Olympics last year.
Cameron's visit comes after the visit of London mayor Boris Johnson, who many believe is a strong contender for the UK Prime Minister's post. Both clearly realise that it makes strategic sense to engage with India, given the strong influence of the Indian diaspora and business in British politics.
But even as the finer details of these two big visits are being worked out, the PM may make a dash to Tokyo before the Budget session of Parliament to meet new Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The visit holds significance asAbe has invested heavily in building a good relationship with India.
Besides, a stronger relationship with Japan is important for India's Look Eastpolicy and will help us tackle China, which is currently engaged in a bitter duel with Japan.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel Manmohan is also scheduled to visit Germany for a bilateralsummit meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, which may take place in April.
Manmohan Singh's foreign mission in 2013 to perk up ties : North, News - India Today
