France greets India, strasses on strategic partnership

Paris, May 17 (IANS) French President François Hollande has congratulated India on its "outstanding" general elections, and said France looks forward to bolster relations and strategic partnership with the country under the new government.

"The president of the republic and the government of France look forward to meeting and working with the next prime minister and government of India, to bolster relations and carry the strategic partnership between India and France to an ever higher level of trust and cooperation," Hollande said in a statement issued Friday.

Hollande praised the very high turnout at the polls, which, he said, showed the exceptional vitality of the Indian democracy.

"India can count on France's steadfast friendship," the president added.