France Wednesday expressed deep shock at the explosion on board Indian submarine INS Sindhurakshak that sank with 18 sailors at a naval dockyard in Mumbai.
In a statement, the French government extended its deepest condolences to the victims' families.
The French Minister of Foreign Affairs Laurent Fabius, and Minister of Defence Jean-Yves Le Drian have written to their Indian counterparts to express France's solidarity with the Indian authorities, the statement said.
France and India have close defence ties. Both countries are in final stages for the Rs.50,000-crore deal for procuring 126 Rafale combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force. The two sides are also holding negotiations for a Rs.30,000-crore project for co-developing the Maitri surface-to-air missile defence system.
France has also bagged a deal for building six Scorpene submarines for the Navy.
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