Sarkozy, Carla to attend R-Day? India in protocol fix

IN A FIX: Paris has informed India that Carla will be accompanying Sarkozy to India.

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New Delhi: Europe’s hottest couple French President Nicolas Sarkozy and girlfriend Carla Bruni after combining work with pleasure are planning to the same in India.

Sarkozy will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade and Paris has informed South Block that wherever Monsieur Le President goes, so does Carla, whether at Dilli Haat or the Taj Mahal.

South Block is in a dilemma because the rules are only clear about VIP spouses who are clearly state guests.

Their stay and expenses are paid for by the host country, the spouse is accommodated in the VIP or presidential suite without any embarrassment.

The spouse is entitled to an official welcome and has a separate schedule of engagements with a protocol official in tow.

South Block's rules say nothing about girlfriends. Accommodating her in the same suite as the president would not go down well here.

Perhaps they could be given adjoining suites but what if Sarkozy wants her with him at all official functions and banquets? Where will she sit?

Indian diplomats say it all depends on how Paris describes her.

If they describe her as a spouse or partner then there should be no problem.

Otherwise she could come as part of the French delegation, which means she will have no part in any official functions but could go with Sarkozy to the Taj.

Assuming all these little complications get resolved, South Block has another worry.

Carla could well steal the limelight reducing a dignified state visit to a papparazzi driven nightmare.