According to Lt Col Jean Yves Lauzier, leading the contingent of 200 cadets and 26 staff members, ``India was justified in conducting its nuclear tests. We understand India's security concerns in the present geo-politics and accept India as a nuclear power. Our President has expressed his support for the country and our visit is a logical follow up.''

For the cadets this is their first interaction with India and her defence establishment on such a scale. As Lt Col Lauzier points out, ``We have been sympathetic to India's stand on various issues. With this visit we intend to foster greater cooperation between the two countries.''

A stance that sends out positive and encouraging signals on a day when Indian troops are busy trying to eject infiltrators in Kargil. For the French cadets, Kashmir is no more ``just another hot spot.'' As they landed in the capital on Monday, the Kargil operations introduced them to ground realities here. As they mixed with cadets from NDA, curiosity about the wars that India has fought and the reasons behind them pop up.

The cadets echo the pro-India stance. Says 2nd Lt Laurent Laporte, one of the cadets, ``We conducted our own nuclear tests in the Pacific in 1995. We did so because they were important for our national security. Similarly India must have her reasons to conduct the same.'' As an officer serving as an instructor at the academy reasons, ``These boys and girls are the future Generals of the French army. Interaction between them and our `future Generals' will help better understanding and a healthy respect for each other.'' Says, 2nd Lt. Laporte, ``We had heard about Kashmir during our training at the academy but did not know the facts earlier.'' Out here they get a chance to understand the 50-year-old conflict a little better.

Agrees Lt Col Lauzier, ``India with its one billion population has a very important role to play on global scale. You are a great civilisation and we need to understand each other better.'' And the curiosity was mutual on both sides as the muftis of the NDA cadets intermingled with the cream coloured uniforms of their French counterparts. ``Don't you have any lady cadets?'' asks another Legionnaire. It took some explaining on the part of the Indian cadets to convince them that women do join the armed forces in India. Though, on both sides women are yet to participate in active combat roles.

The choice of arms after passing out was the next big thing after the ladies have had their due share of curiosity. For the army wing cadets the armoured corps or the special forces are top priority. So when the French say ``military police'' it draws numerous raised eyebrows. A NDA cadet overheard : ``Why would anybody want to join the military police.'' Somethings are obviously beyond their comprehension!

The French cadet's training is more intensive as far as course modules go. At the academy they cram in a lot more, be it jungle warfare or unarmed combat or parajumping. A fact that fascinates the eager boys at NDA as they gulp in stories of training sessions conducted in French Guyana. Some give back stories of their own ``tough'' camps and courses. For the visitors, the tour has been very hectic ever since they landed. They have visited some of the finest military establishments including the paratrooper training school at Agra. And the school impressed the cadets despite the Taj Mahal.

The paratrooper school held special interest for the cadets because most of them have earned their paratrooper wings, para-jumping being an integral course they undertake during their three-year training.

As cadets go through the grind for four years of their life, they will be bound in the common brotherhood and grudging respect of the professional soldier.