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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that India and France are exploring possibilities of joint development and co-production of key military platforms for export to friendly countries, and intensifying cooperation in the field of maritime space education, while holding talks with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the two leaders held talks at the delegation level and at the level of delegations at the Elysee Palace, the official residence of the President of the French Republic. The statement said they had extensive discussions on a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation including defense and security, civil nuclear energy, science and technology, energy, trade and investment, space, climate action, and people-to-people relations.
Speaking at a joint press event with Macron, Modi, who is here on a two-day official visit, said a roadmap to strengthen strategic relations between India and France over the next 25 years is being prepared with bold and ambitious targets on the anvil. Modi said that the Indian oil company and France’s Total had reached a long-term agreement on the import of liquefied natural gas. “This will further our goals of transitioning towards clean energy,” he said.
The two sides also announced great cooperation in the space sector by signing an implementation agreement for a joint Earth observation satellite – Trishna – to monitor temperatures on land and oceans and study climate change. The two countries also announced plans for joint developments in launch hardware, while NewSpace India Limited and Arianespace signed a letter of intent to cooperate in commercial launch services.
The two sides released the Horizon 2047 roadmap to set the course for the bilateral relationship till 2047. Prime Minister Modi also announced that an agreement has been reached to launch the single payments interface for India in France, the first European country to do so.
Modi also spoke about the plans of French companies to develop helicopter engines, produce spare parts and set up MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) facilities in India. The Defense Ministry on Thursday approved proposals to buy 26 Rafale aircraft from France and to buy three French-designed Scorpene submarines.
Defense cooperation has been a strong pillar of our close relationship. It is a symbol of deep mutual trust between the two countries. Modi said that France is an important partner in the “Make in India” initiative and Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India).
“Today we will discuss joint development and joint production related to new technologies,” he said. Modi said that both sides can produce military platforms for friendly third countries as well.
There is scope for expanding cooperation between defense space agencies. We are moving forward towards setting up MRO facilities, production of spare parts and development of helicopter engines by French companies in India. We will focus on strengthening our cooperation in this regard.
Modi also said that India and France will push forward the relationship in the civil nuclear sector and discuss possibilities of cooperation in the field of small and advanced reactors.
He said that India and France were together in the fight against terrorism. “We believe that strong measures must be taken to end cross-border terrorism, and the two countries agree to take more steps in this direction,” Modi said.
During their talks, the two leaders also discussed India’s G20 presidency, the Indo-Pacific region, and regional and global issues of mutual interest, said the MEA statement. During the joint press event, the prime minister said that India and France bear a special responsibility to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, which is the region witnessing China’s aggressive stances.
“As residing powers in the Indo-Pacific, India and France bear a special responsibility for peace and stability in the region,” he said.
Noting that the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict have affected the entire world, Modi said that the countries of the Global South have been particularly negatively affected.
“This is a matter of concern. To find solutions to such problems, it is important that efforts are made by countries united. We believe that all differences can only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. India is ready to contribute to a lasting peace,” the prime minister said.
The Middle East and Africa statement stated that ambitious final documents, including “Horizon 2047: Charting the Future of the Strategic Partnership between India and France,” were adopted during their talks.
The prime minister said he was looking forward to welcoming President Macron to New Delhi for the G20 Leaders Summit in September 2023. Modi and Macron also spoke at the CEO Forum where the prime minister urged French businessmen to seize opportunities in India.
He also announced that India would open a new consulate in the port city of Marseille.
(This story was not edited by the News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
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