Deals begin Sarkozy's India visit

Mr Sarkozy is expected to hold talks on civil nuclear technology

France and India have agreed deals on defence and the economy at the beginning of President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit to India.

Mr Sarkozy is chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations on Saturday.

Media speculation in India has however focused on whether his glamorous girlfriend, Carla Bruni, will join him when he visits the Taj Mahal monument.

Mr Sarkozy's visit reflects India's growing economic and political clout, BBC correspondents say.

The French leader is expected to push for greater trade and economic ties in his talks with Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The BBC's Chris Morris in Delhi says France exports relatively little to the Indian market and French business leaders accompanying Mr Sarkozy will be anxious to make up for lost time.

The president will also talk about defence contracts and the potential for the future sale of civilian nuclear technology.

'Constraining protocol'

Correspondents say Mr Sarkozy's trip, coming during to the same week as the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited Delhi, is another sign that western governments are determined to court the rising economic power of India.

Rumours abound over whether Ms Bruni will join Mr Sarkozy in India

The trip sparked intense speculation in the Indian media over whether the French president will be accompanied by Ms Bruni on his visit to the monument of love, the Taj Mahal on Saturday.

Ms Bruni had told a French newspaper that she would not be going to India with him.

An Indian newspaper suggests Ms Bruni may come to India on a "private" visit to coincide with that of the president.

It points out that such a tactic would be a good way to side-step the Indian foreign ministry's "constraining protocol" over the presence of unmarried partners on state visits.