Both sides underscored the need to give a new dimension to bilateral relations and establish a base for long term partnership. Vajpayee, who arrived here after a six-day stay in New York, was received at the airport by French Education Minister Segolene Royale, Indian Ambassador Kanwal Sibal and French Ambassador to India Claude Blanchemaison.

French leaders supported India for the steps taken on the nuclear issue and hoped New Delhi would sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) ahead of the September, 1999, deadlne for its entry into force.

This was expressed by Chirac when Vajpayee called on him at the Elysee Palace. Vajpayee, who also had a separate meeting with Jospin, outlined the security concerns thatprompted India to undertake the Pokharan tests and expressed New Delhi's desire to bring discussions with key interlocutors on a range of issues, including the CTBT, to a successful conclusion so that its entry into force is not delayed.

Considerable significance is being attached to the visit, the first official one by Vajpayee to any of the major powers since the May 11 and 13 explosions.

France, an important member of the UN Security Council (P-5), the group of eight industrial nations (G-8) and the European Union, has played a crucial role in considerably toning down widespread condemnation of the tests.

Pursuing the line of some of its western allies, France has been asking India to subscribe to the CTBT and also give greater momentum to Indo-Pak talks to help ease tension in the South Asian region.

Vajpayee, who made a reference to his recent speech at the UN and his talks with Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif during which the two sides decided to resume stalled bilateral dialogue, said significantprogress has been made on both fronts.