The three engagements are also considered significant in diplomatic circles here, as each country plays a major role in the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG) which comes into picture for expeditious relaxation of its nuclear trade guidelines before India can hope to return to the mainstream of international nuclear cooperation.

According to the road-map for operationalising the Indo-US civil nuclear cooperation agreement, a politically contentious issue at home will go before the NSG once India finalises a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Senior government officials on Friday said that the next round of negotiations with the IAEA, scheduled for early January, could also be the concluding round and, thus, an agreed draft could be in place by the time Dr Singh begins the first of his three important diplomatic engagements in mid-January.

Anticipated visit

Tentatively, Dr Singh would be in Beijing on a three day visit  from January 13.  The meeting with the Chinese leadership is being keenly looked forward to, as it will give an opportunity to remove irritants that have lately hindered bilateral ties — the most important one being the Chinese misperceptions about the evolving Indo-US ties. In China, Dr Singh will also engage the Chinese leadership on expediting the process of addressing the bilateral boundary problem. The stage for summit interaction was set in October, when UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi undertook a high profile visit to China. India is also seeking Beijing’s endorsement for changes in the NSG guidelines, as China is a member of the 45-member NSG. As soon as Dr Singh returns from China, he would be hosting British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who would be on his first visit to the country since taking over from his predecessor Tony Blair.

French guest

Close to the heels of Brown’s visit, French President Nicolas Sarkozy would be the chief guest for the Republic Day parade.

The officials said that the nuclear issue would be top on the agenda of discussions with the French leader. The French who have not been happy with the Government’s recent decision to cancel the tender process for acquisition of light helicopters for the Indian Army, are expected to take up the issue with the Indian leadership. Eurocopter, an EU conglomerate, was shortlisted for winning the contract for the supply of light helicopters.