India and France on Friday shared the view that terrorism should in no way be equated with Islam and the battle against the menace is "neither unidirectional nor unidimensional." French President Jacques Chirac and the visiting Indian external affairs and defence minister Jaswant Singh emphasised that terrorism should in no way be equated with the "noble religion of Islam" "There must be no equation of fanatical terrorists with the Arab and Muslim worlds," President Chirac said during his 45-minute meeting at the Elysee Palace with Singh who arrived here on Friday morning on a day`s visit as part of the ongoing consultations to build a coalition of nations to combat international terrorism.
The two leaders agreed it was necessary to address the systemic causes of terrorism rather than only it symptoms. President Chirac told Singh that "France greatly values its relations with India" and that it was a "priority" of Paris to develop and strengthen relations with New Delhi.
An Indian spokeswoman said the minister held "extremely positive consultations" with the French leadership on the evolving global situation following the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States. Besides his meeting with Chirac, Singh had a luncheon meeting with foreign minister Hubert Vedrine and held discussions with defence minister Alain Richard.
During the discussions, both sides expressed their resolve to continue to "remain in touch and further strengthen their contacts and communications on the emergent global situation."
Bureau Report