French envoy saddened by Azam Khan remark

French ambassador to India Francois Richier on Monday said he was “saddened” by Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan’s remark that the Paris terror attack could have been a “reaction” to the “killing of innocents” in Arab countries by “superpowers”, including the US.

“I am saddened,” Richier told reporters here while reacting to Mr Khan’s statement. While undeterred by the horrific terror strikes which claimed 129 lives, France has decided to go ahead with the crucial climate change summit in Paris “as planned” with improved security measures, the French ambassador said.

Speaking on the climate change summit in Paris, the ambassador said, “On November 30, we are expecting to welcome the Conference of Parties (CoP21), which will be kicked off by a summit meeting where most of the world leaders will be present, including the Prime Minister of India. This summit will take place. We have not cancelled the conference.”

“It’s about another threat to humanity which is climate change. We believe it is of utmost importance that these negotiations can take place. Of course improved security measures will be there and we will limit activities which are not directly linked to diplomatic negotiations,” he told reporters here.