Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani on Thursday night held discussions with French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin.

He briefed Raffarin about the state of relations between India and Pakistan.

On the Iraq crisis, the two agreed that the United States should not take a unilateral action against Saddam Hussein's regime.

The visit of the French prime minister to India early next month also figured in the talks.

Advani also met French Defence Minister Michele Alliott-Marie and discussed a $2 billion deal, which would see six Scorpene submarines built in Mumbai if India gives the green signal.

They also discussed the possible purchase of 136 Mirage-2000 warplanes for the Indian Air Force.

Advani appreciated the views of the French government that terrorism is a major threat.

He said India has been facing cross-border terrorism and proxy war from across the border.

Advani is on a two-day visit to France. The two countries will sign an extradition treaty on Friday.

With the case of gangster Abu Salem fresh in mind, New Delhi is understood to have assured Paris that any person extradited by it would not be handed out death sentence in India.

The assurance is likely to be incorporated in the extradition treaty, which will be signed by Advani and French Justice Minister Dominique Perben.

The incorporation of a no-death-sentence provision is in keeping with the sensitivities of the European nations, where capital punishment has been abolished.

India is still facing problems in getting Salem extradited from Portugal and has given a written assurance that he will not be given death sentence in India.