French president Sarkozy likely to visit India early next year

French president Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to visit the country early next year, probably accompanied by supermodel-wife Carla Bruni this time and the Presidential couple may visit Taj Mahal.

"We are planning the visit of the president sometime early next year. We were trying to do it this year but because of G20, Copenhagen Summit and other international events, the calender is cramped," ambassador of France to India Jerome Bonnafont said here today.

Asked if Sarkozy will also go to see Taj Mahal along with his wife, as desired by the President during his 2008 visit, the Ambassador said "why not".

Sarkozy, 52, visited Agra in January 2008 after attending the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi, where he was the chief guest and had reportedly expressed desire to see the monument of love with his lady love.

However, Bonnafont said it was too early to say anything on the visit.

On whether both sides would sign some agreements or MoUs during Sarkozy's visit, he said it was expected but "it was too early to say how the package will look like."

The visit is definitely meant to boost the considerable ties both countries share, evident from the visits of both Sarkozy and prime minister Manmohan Singh in the past two years, he said.

He said there were nearly 1.2 lakh Indians employed in French companies in India and at present, the bilateral trade figure was about €6.8 billion.