French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac arrived in New Delhi on Friday (23 January) for talks on economic and technological cooperation between France and India.

M. Chirac, who was greeted at the airport by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, said in a brief arrival speech, "I do hope that following this visit, our cooperation in the field of political, economic, scientific and technological fields will mark a new progress."
Mrs. Gandhi, who was flanked by several of her cabinet ministers, also greeted M. Chirac's wife and a team of high-ranking French officials.

M. Chirac, making his first visit to India, took the salute from a military guard of honour at the airport. He will be guest of honour at India's Republic Day celebrations on Monday (26 January).

The two Prime Ministers drove from the airport to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President Palace, in a motorcade along streets decorated with flags and welcome banners hailing Indo-French friendship. Groups of school children waved and applauded the French Premier who will be in India for four days.