French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his First Lady Stay at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi

MUMBAI, India, December 7, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

- President is the First Guest at The Tata Suite in the Hotel

- Visit Reiterates Importance of the INDIA - France Bilateral Connection

The Taj has historically played the perfect host to the world's eminent leaders, presidents, artists, celebrities, legends and royalty. Innumerable dignitaries have made Taj their preferred address and home in India. The hotel recently added another impressive name to its list of distinguished guests as the 23rd and current President of the French Republic Nicolas Sarkozy stayed at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi. The President and the First Lady, Carla Sarkozy-Bruni were the first guests at the Tata Suite in the hotel.

India and France have long enjoyed a trusted and dependable relationship. France was the first country in 2008, to sign a civilian nuclear deal with India. Defence and related trade has been a key component of the strategic partnership for many years. Both countries cemented this partnership in 2008 when they targeted to achieve 12 billion Euros in bilateral trade by 2012 from 6 billion Euros. The return of President Sarkozy on his second official visit to India demonstrates the importance of this relationship.

The Tata Group also has a 'French' connect in its pioneering leader, J R D Tata. Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, a pioneer aviator and a Bharat Ratna recipient, was born in Paris, France. As his mother was French, J R D Tata spent most of this childhood and did his schooling in France. French was also his first language.

The Taj has been preparing enthusiastically for the President's visit. Taj Palace Hotel has undergone a recent refurbishment that now creates a rejuvenated luxury experience. With the newly updated Presidential Suite and Taj Club Rooms; and 'Durbar hall', the hotel has unarguably become Delhi's most preferred address offering the finest accommodation for Heads of States traveling to India.

The hotel's restaurants have proven to be the dining destinations of choice for the fine dining connoisseurs of the capital. The hotel houses the city's most prestigious European fine-dining restaurant - 'Orient Express', 'Blue Ginger' - the capital's only Vietnamese restaurant and 'The Blue Bar' with its elegant alfresco setting.

Taj Palace Hotel, in the recent past has played host to various Heads of State, from across the globe. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Gen Parvez Musharraf, Tony Blair and Cherie Blair, Nancy Peloci, Matti Vanskaa among many, have all chosen to stay here.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and First Lady Carla Sarkozy-Bruni stayed at the Tata Suite, marking the launch of the country's most luxurious residential option for visiting dignitaries and royalty. The decor, art and furnishings of the room elegantly mesh the traditional and the contemporary, thereby complementing and reflective of the couple's sense of grace, fashion and style.

President Sarkozy and his French delegation will now travel to Mumbai and will stay at the iconic Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai.

    For further information, please contact :

    Bidisha Dey
    +91-9871119571

    Shweta Agrawal
    +91-9810502943

    US
    Sheila Donnelly [email protected]
    Karisa Hayashi [email protected]
    Babs Harrison [email protected]
    +1-212-851-8425

    UK
    Mary-Clare Gribbon
    [email protected]
    +44-20-7259-1100

    France
    Isabelle Revel - [email protected]
    Emmanuele Khann - [email protected]
    Marie-Amelie Durouchoux - [email protected]
    +33(0)1-41-31-52-60

    India
    Shweta Agrawal
    +91-9810502943
    [email protected]

SOURCE Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces