By IANS,
New Delhi : When Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meets French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris early next week, Pakistan’s alleged misuse of international aid as well as other issues will be on the table when the two leaders meet for a working lunch.
“The situation in Pakistan will figure in the discussions,” diplomatic sources said here.
India has been pressing for greater international oversight on funds given to Pakistan which New Delhi suspects are used for anti-India activities. Manmohan Singh is likely to take up the issue during his talks, the sources added.
France was among the first few countries to express solidarity with India in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
The two countries are expanding their counter-terror cooperation – an issue that will figure in the discussions between Manmohan Singh and Sarkozy when they meet in Paris Tuesday.
Manmohan Singh’s visit to France takes place against the backdrop of a series of high-profile visits from Pakistan to that country. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani have visited Paris recently.
France had also announced 300 million euros in economic assistance and another 12 million euros for rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons during Zardari’s visit.
France appreciates India’s concerns over the potential misuse of aid by Pakistan, but has made it clear that the aid is primarily for economic development of the country, which will enable it to strengthen its fight against the Taliban.
France is also keeping an oversight on the funds given to Pakistan to ensure that these are used for the purpose for which they are given, reliable sources said.
In Paris’ view, economic development is an effective antidote to rising extremism in Pakistan.
In an interview with France 5 television to be broadcast Monday, Sarkozy said he would visit Pakistan by the end of the year and voiced France’s worry that the nuclear-armed country must not fall into “terrorist hands”.
“Pakistan is a nuclear power and we cannot allow it to fall into terrorist hands,” Sarkozy warned.
“France supports the Pakistani authorities,” the president added. “We have launched an in-depth collaboration. It is in our interest that Pakistan succeeds in its struggle against the Taliban.”