French President Nicolas Sarkozy wrapped up his four-day visit to India on Tuesday, securing defense, energy and aviation deals worth billions of dollars.
Headlines heralded a significant breakthrough -- a framework agreement signed by India and France that will allow French energy group Areva SA to build two nuclear reactors in India's western state of Maharashtra and to supply fuel for 25 years.
The deal, worth $9.3 billion, is set to boost strategic ties between the two countries and help feed India's growing demand for energy.
But it may be too early to celebrate, said Brahma Chellaney, a professor of strategic studies at the Center of Policy Research in New Delhi
While an agreement has been reached, the precise terms of the commercial contract are still "very much in the air," Chellaney warned.
"France is selling India nuclear reactors which are completely untried for design and safety, so there might be criticism in India in days to come about the choice of reactors," he said.
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