Pakistan must fight terrorism strongly: Sarkozy - Hindustan Times

Calling upon Pakistan to fight terrorism with determination, French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday appreciated India's efforts to "stretch out its hand" towards its South Asian neighbour. "We applaud India's effort to stretch out its hand. We call upon Pakistan to fight terrorism determinedly," Sarkozy said in reply to a query on counter-terrorism cooperation at a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here.

He pointed out that France had stood "shoulder-to-shoulder" with India in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack in which two French officials had also died. They were among the 166 victims.

"Our cooperation on counter-terrorism is without limits," said Sarkozy.

He said he appreciated Manmohan Singh's effort to reach out to Pakistan, despite the Indian public opinion being "deeply shocked and traumatised" by the terror savagery.

Sarkozy said that in the 21st century, the only way to ensure peace and security was to "develop together and not against another", making a reference to the European Union, where former foes now work together.

The president said both France and India have the "same reading on Afghanistan".

Sarkozy is on a four-day visit to India that ends Tuesday.

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Armymen allegedly assault CBI search team - Hindustan Times

Army personnel at the Military Command Hospital in Pune allegedly locked up and manhandled a team of CBI officials, after which the sleuths registered a complaint with the police against a Major General for obstructing government officials from performing their duties. A CBI team, accompanied by the local police, went to the hospital premises yesterday following a complaint from a vendor engaged in supplying medicines and surgical equipment alleging irregularities in purchases and seeking of bribe by an officer of the rank of Lt Colonel, official sources said in Pune.

However, the CBI team, on reaching the hospital, were first locked up and then surronded by nearly 40 lathi-wielding army personnel, the agency said that in its complaint to the Pune police, a copy of which has been sent to agency headquarters in Delhi.

According to Vidya Kulkarni, CBI-ACB Superintendent, the CBI officials sought the assistance of the police to go ahead with the searches, to which Maj Gen S S Panwar, commandant Command hospital, objected.

CBI claimed that at the behest of the Major General, the Army personnel did not allow its officials to perform the duties. The CBI officials were later allowed to leave without performing their duties.

However, late in the night, the sleuths carried out the searches with a larger presence of the police and sezied some of the documents, the sources said. Some of the documents might have already been removed by the army officials, CBI apprehends.

A Command hospital spokesman denied the CBI team was manhandled.

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Captaincy has not affected my batting, says Gambhir - Hindustan Times

Three wins on the trot as captain and back-to-back centuries to help his side clinch the ODI series against New Zealand, Gautam Gambhir on Saturday said that he was enjoying as skipper of the Indian team as runs were flowing from his bat. Gambhir said that leading the side in the absence of Mahendra Singh Dhoni has not affected his batting and he did not feel any different while playing without the burden of captaincy.

"As a player or a captain I have given 100%. Captaincy has not changed my batting. I am striking the ball well and would have batted like this under any captain," Gambhir said after playing a captain's knock of 126 not out to help India score a series-clinching victory over New Zealand in the third ODI in Vadodara.

"Playing for the country is enough of motivation to do well. I always believe captain is only as good as the team he has under him. I am lucky to have a fine set of players who are all motivated to do well," he said.

Gambhir was fulsome in praise of his bowlers and described spearhead Zaheer Khan, who pushed New Zealand on the back foot with his two-wicket haul in the first five overs, as the best left-arm pacer in the world now.

"He's the best left arm pace bowler in the world now and to have him in the side is a a great asset," said Gambhir.

"Ashwin is a quality spinner with a lot of variety. To be able to bowl well during Power Plays and in the slog phase is great. If he keeps bowling like this he will be a big asset to the team," he said.

"Yusuf (Pathan) and Munaf (Patel) are very talented and quality players. Munaf bowled great at first change. Getting 1 for 28 in 10 overs in sub continent wickets is great. He was exceptional today. And the way Yusuf contributed with the ball was also a great job. Given an opportunity I would love to have him bat higher up the order," he added.

He said that it was a good toss to win as there was early morning help to the bowlers.

"When there is dew in Baroda it does a bit in the morning. It's red soil. It was a good toss to win but even it you win it or not you have to keep doing the job. It was a great effort from our bowlers to restrict them to 225-odd. It was a very good team effort," said the left-handed opener who slammed an unbeaten 126 to be named the man of the match.

It was the 29-year-old's second ton against the Kiwis on the trot after his match-winning 138 not out in the second ODI in Jaipur on December 1.

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India deserves permanent seat in UNSC: Sarkozy - Hindustan Times

French President Nicolas Sarkozy Saturday backed India's bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council and its fight against terrorism. "India deserves a permanent seat in the Security Council," Sarkozy said addressing over 500 scientists, captains of industry and students at the Indian Space Research Organisation here soon after landing on a four-day visit to the country.

"India, along with Brazil, Germany, Japan, Africa and Arab world should be in the UN Security Council," said Sarkozy.

Sarkozy, who is accompanied by his wife Carla Bruni said that terrorism emanating from Pakistan and Afghanistan is a major source of instability in the world.

Sarkozy is seeking to drum up business for French firms, with a deal expected on building nuclear plants India's energy needs. He also said, "We need India to regulate the world monetary order; I believe Indian currency will be counted as one of major currencies".

He expressed his happiness on N-plant in India. He said that France is delighted to set up nuclear plant in Jaitapur
that will produce 10,000 MW of clean energy.

The French leader will hold talks on Monday with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi, after a private visit Sunday with First Lady Carla Bruni to the Taj Mahal, the famed white marble monument to love in Agra.

His trip comes amid a rash of visits by world leaders to India. President Barak Obama visited last month and the leaders of Russia and China are due by year's end.

Sarkozy is accompanied by his defense, foreign and finance ministers and nearly 60 CEOs of French companies. Although no defense agreements are expected during the visit, he is expected to push for French firms to win contracts to supply military hardware. French companies are negotiating to upgrade 51 Mirage-2000 jet fighters of the Indian air force. India is also in the market to buy 126 fighter jets, a deal worth $11 billion, and nearly 200 helicopters worth another $4 billion. (With AP, IANS inputs)

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