Sarkozy-Bruni affairs has MEA blushing

New Delhi: France is all set to import a dash of glamour to India’s Republic Day this year. Paris has indicated that French President Nicolas Sarkozy could be bringing along with his girlfriend Carla Bruni.

Sarkozy, on a four-day state visit from January 24, is the chief guest for Republic Day parade. The former supermodel and headturner has recently travelled with the president to Italy and Egypt.

But the Indian government is not used to hosting presidential companions and is in a fix as to what kind of protocol to accord to Bruni as she is not a First Lady.

Though it is not official yet and the French remain tight-lipped, the security and protocol establishment have begun discussions on how they would deal with Bruni if she comes to India along with Sarkozy later this month.

"Honestly, we have no idea if she is coming. But even if she is part of the official delegation there is going to be no major difference. It will basically be a media story more than anything else," a top official involved in overseeing security arrangements was quoted as saying by IANS.

If Bruni is not classified as a spouse, she would not be entitled to be with the President during banquets and other official engagements. But she can be given privileges meant for a delegate accompanying the President.

Though the list of the President's delegation is yet to be finalised, both sides have already held talks on this issue.

IANS reports a reconnaissance team from the French embassy has already had one preliminary meeting with Indian security officials on the arrangements to be made for the delegation.

But there was no mention of the number of delegates expected to arrive and more importantly, if Bruni was part of the mission.

"We were told it will be a big delegation and the exact number and composition will be known on Jan 20," IANS quoted sources as saying.

The couple may also visit the Taj Mahal.

Bruni, who shot to fame for her first folk music album in 2003, has dated a range of famous men, including Mick Jagger and Donald Trump.

At last, the secret is out

After weeks of dodging the press, French President Nicolas Sarkozy came out with his relationship with ex-supermodel Carla Bruni in December.

French newspapers splashed photos of the President with singer and former supermodel, fuelling speculation of romance just two months after the president's divorce.

Sarkozy, 53, and Bruni, 38, were snapped together at the Disneyland theme park near Paris and made little apparent attempt to hide the fact that they were there together, though none of the photos showed them any closer than shoulder-to-shoulder.

The couple also flew to the ancient Egyptian town of Luxor for a Christmas break.

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