Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said.
France is an important partner in the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives. He added that defence ties have been an important pillar in the relationship between the two countries.
The prime minister’s remark came a day after the Defense Acquisition Council approved the proposal to buy 26 Rafale-M fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy from France. There were speculations that the deal would be announced during PM Modi’s visit to France.
“Be it submarines or Indian naval ships, together we want to fulfill not just ours but also the requirements of other friendly countries,” said PM Modi on Friday. He added that defence ties between the two countries are a symbol of their “deep trust”.
PM Modi also highlighted several initiatives which will be undertaken as part of efforts to enhance ties between India and France.
TOP QUOTES FROM PM MODI’S SPEECH
The prime minister said France is a “natural partner” to India’s resolve to make itself a developed nation. “India and France are celebrating 25 years of our strategic partnership. We are making a roadmap for the next 25 years on the basis of the strong foundation of the previous 25 years. Bold and ambitious goals are being set for this. The people of India have taken the resolve to make ourselves a developed nation. On this journey, we see France as a natural partner,” said PM Modi.
PM Modi announced that an agreement has been reached to launch India’s UPI — Unified Payments Interface in France. Other new initiatives to increase cooperation which have been identified include areas like renewable energy, green hydrogen, Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, cyber and digital technology, he added.
PM Modi also said the long-term agreement between Indian Oil and France’s Total company to export Liquefied natural gas (LNG), will help in achieving India’s target of clean energy transition.
We will discuss cooperation on small and modular nuclear reactors, take our cooperation in nuclear energy forward, said the prime minister.
He also hailed the successful launch of Chandrayaan 3 and said the entire India is excited about the feat. “This is a major achievement of our scientists. In the arena of space, India and France have had an old and deep cooperation.”
A new Indian Consulate will be built in the French city of Marseille, announced PM Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated France’s highest honour, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, which was conferred on him by French President Emmanuel Macron to the people of India. “It is not my honour but the honour of 140 crore people of the country,” said PM Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to France. He was the guest of honour at the Bastille Day Parade in Paris where a 269-member Indian tri-service contingent was part of the show. Three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) also joined the flypast.
PM MODI LEAVES FOR UAE
PM Modi left for his next, the UAE, after concluding his two-day France visit. According to the prime minister’s itinerary, PM Modi is expected to land in UAE at 10.45am (IST) and he will be given a ceremonial welcome at 2.10 pm. He is also expected to hold talks with officials and attend a banquet lunch at 3.20 pm and then depart for Delhi at around 4.45 pm.