New Delhi:
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who began his four-day visit to India on Saturday, managed to skip to Agra last evening with wife Carla Bruni to visit the Taj Mahal.
(See Pics)The French First Couple stayed overnight at a hotel there. They also visited Fatehpur Sikri. The Sarkozys visited the famous Fatehpur Sikri dargah of saint Salim Chisthi and prayed for a son just like Mughal Emperor Akbar did centuries ago.
Sarkozy and Bruni have arrived in Delhi where PM Manmohan Singh will host a private dinner for them. The two leaders are also expected to hold talks over a range of issues.
On the guest list are Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Pranab Mukherjee, SM Krishna, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, Speaker Meira Kumar, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and the National Security Adviser.
Sarkozy is likely to bring up the Nuclear Liability bill issue with the PM. He may seek clarification on the issue of supplier's liability for nuclear reactor deal as India gets ready to buy six reactors from France.
Terror is also likely to figure in the talks between the two leaders. Sarkozy will also talk about G20 with PM Manmohan Singh. He may also discuss reform of international monetary system and reform of the global economy management etc.
In an address at ISRO centre at Bangalore on Saturday, Sarkozy said he is a "great admirer" of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as he praised the Indian leader's "obsession" with peace, development and eradication of poverty in the country. He said whenever the Prime Minister meets him, he talks about this obsession.
In his address at ISRO, the French President also reiterated his support for India's bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
"India deserves a permanent seat in the Security Council," Sarkozy said addressing over 500 scientists, captains of industry and students.
"It is unthinkable that one billion Indians are not represented in the Security Council," he added.