Inter-government agreement on Rafale jets signed, financial aspects to be resolved soon: PM

Highlighting the strategic partnership between India and France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the inter-government agreement on purchase of 36 Rafale aircrafts has been signed, adding that the financial aspects would be resolved soon.

"France is a country with which we have had a strategic partnership. And it was 18 years ago that we signed the partnership with France. France is one of those few countries with which India has also an agreement in the area of civil nuclear cooperation. Whether it is the sector of defence, space or other strategic areas, our cooperation is strong, old and trustworthy. If we were to speak of the sector of defence, we are very pleased that in the purchase of 36 Rafale aircrafts apart from some financial issues, there has been an inter-governmental agreement on other issues. We have decided to resolve the financial aspects as fast as possible as well," he said after holding talks with French President Francois Hollande at the Hyderabad House here

Prime Minister Modi said France and India have always proved themselves the test of time.

"And they have always been strong in their commitments and their cooperation. Recently, last year, when I had visited France in April, I was able to discuss at length, with President Hollande on various issues and we were able to take some significant decisions in this regard," said Prime Minister Modi.

"And many of these strong steps that we were able to take at that time are now being converted into reality. Whether it is the development of a railway engine to that of satellite, whether it is an issue of border security to that of delimitation of space, whether it is archaeological excavations to smart cities, from solar energy to nuclear power, from Namaste France to Bonjour India. All these decisions we have taken in these areas are further strengthening and taking our cooperation forward," he added.

The Prime Minister emphasized that environmental security plays a significant role in the rainbow of the bilateral relation between both nations.

"Excellency, at the history COP - 21 meeting organised in Paris, it is thanks to your leadership, that an agreement was signed, and I welcome this agreement and I felicitate you for your leadership. This has allowed us to establish a new climate framework. At the same time in the COP-21, both of us were able to launch an international solar alliance. And for me it is a matter of great happiness that in a few hours from now, we will be inaugurating its interim secretariat and at the same time lay the foundation of its permanent secretariat," said Prime Minister Modi.

"Our relations are marked by dynamism and this has allowed us to convert opportunity in our economic and political cooperation to reality. This was quite evident in Chandigarh where the captains from industries of both countries were able to sit together and establish a significant pillar," he added.

Prime Minister Modi said the CEOs forum and the Business Summit organised in Chandigarh proved to be enthusiastic, useful and constructive.

"President Hollande and I have laid down such foundations for this new cooperation that it will create a new commercial cooperation and partnership. Urban development and in particular the development of smart cities, the development of railway engines in India and upgradation of railway tracks, the development of railway stations and production of nuclear power are seeds that we have sown and will be irrigated by both countries. It will bring the two countries closer," he added.

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The Prime Minister invited the French businesses and industry to invest in India.

"India's progress, its skilled human resources and along with French and its industry can work together. India and France can work together. I think it will move forward at a faster pace," said Prime Minister Modi.

"I have great hopes of your support and I am also very grateful for your cooperation and support in this regard," he added.