India has to make compromises: France

While France did not have the ‘‘same constraints’’ as the Americans with regard to public opinion or policy, he said ‘‘there are some compromises which have to be made by India’’.

He candidly responded to a range of issues covering civilian nuclear energy cooperation, the Clemenceau ship controversy, defence and economic cooperation and the expectations from Chirac’s visit from February 19 to 21.

Girard’s remarks come close on the heels of the comments by US Ambassador David Mulford that India would have to put ‘‘great majority’’ of its nuclear facilities in the civilian side failing which the American Congress would think New Delhi has an agenda different from that of developing civilian nuclear industry.

‘‘What we have in common with the Americans is the fact that NSG countries will have to reach a consensus and that is not easy,’’ said Girard whose country is an important member of the 35-country NSG.

‘‘It means for everybody, for us, for Americans, for Russian, for British, who all agree that something should be done to help India. It means that we need some compromises from the Indian side on the adjustments to the conditions in India to make it possible to reach those agreements, either in the US Congress or within the NSG group,’’ the Ambassador said.

Asked to elaborate on the ‘‘compromises’’ France expects India to make, he said ‘‘the question of separation is very important for everybody. Today, that is where the most important hurdle is lying, that has to be addressed’’.

‘‘Short of consensus on the acceptablity of new status for India, nuclear cooperation will be kept on hold. But we know pretty well that there are wide possibilities for cooperation between India and France,’’ he said.