Bruni not in first French list, officials say ready for last-minute changes

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 20: The name of Carla Bruni, supermodel-turned-singer-turned companion of Nicolas Sarkozy, is missing from the list of nearly 100 delegates who are slated to accompany the French President on his maiden trip to India as chief guest at the 2008 Republic Day parade.

However, with more than a week left before Sarkozy arrives in the Capital, the list of delegates could be changed to accommodate any last-minute wishes of the visiting head of state.

There has been feverish media speculation about whether Bruni would be accompanying Sarkozy on his three-day trip. Two days ago, the Prime Minister’s Office verbally enquired about the composition of the delegation accompanying Sarkozy from Paris. On Tuesday, Paris had said that they would be sending the list as soon as it was communicated to them by Elysee Palace.

Government sources said that French Ambassador to India Jerome Bonnafont on Sunday met Joint Secretary Dinker Khullar to communicate the list of delegates. The list includes four ministers in the Sarkozy Government but does not indicate any family member or companion accompanying him.

However, New Delhi believes this may not be last word on the delegation list as normally dignitaries are added or omitted till the last moment. Officials add that were Bruni to come, they were prepared to roll out the red carpet for her.

As per protocol, the family of a visiting head of state gets precedence over even cabinet ministers. When President K R Narayanan visited Paris in April 2000, his daughter Chitra, who is now Indian Ambassador to Turkey, was kept above the minister accompanying Narayanan in protocol.

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