New Delhi, November 30, 2007 (DefenceIndia News Service)

Cautious of lagging behind in the lucrative Indian armament market, a top-level French Defence delegation headed by that nation's army chief Bruno Cuche have arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday and have offered to build up military ties and weapon sales to India.

According to the news agency, Cuche, heading a top-level French Army delegation, held wide ranging talks with his Indian counterpart General Deepak Kapoor and also met IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major and naval chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta.

His visit New Delhi would closely be followed by a visit of the French President's National Security Adviser.

France along with Israel and Russia has been a major weapons supplier to India, with defence trade between the two countries touching almost three to five billion Euro for the past three years.

These visits come as India is negotiating a 1.5 billion Euro deal on up gradation of its frontline 52 Mirage fighters. The French aviation major Dassault is also in the fray for India's contract to purchase 126 Multi Role Combat Aircraft.

At his talks with General Deepak Kapoor, the two sides finalized the schedule of joint exercises between the armies of the two countries.

Further the Indian and French Navies and Air Forces have an ongoing interaction programme and the same is now likely to be extended to the two armies.