The leaders also agreed to encourage closer peopleto-

people contact, through inter alia, easing mobility and human exchanges. Asked if the issue of turban ban in France was discussed during the meeting, sources refused to comment. Agreeing to promote education, science and cultural cooperation as well as expanding trade and investment, they also decided to promote an ambitious and balanced Free Trade Agreement between India and the EU based on reciprocity and mutual benefit which will boost bilateral economic relationship and to establish an annual bilateral dialogue between the two Finance Ministries on economic and financial issues. Apart from fostering comprehensive sustainable urban development cooperation, including infrastructure, transport, water, waste management as well as urban planning, the two sides decided to facilitate and support investments from French companies into India and Indian companies into France which contribute to growth and employment in both countries. Cooperation in space and railways and cultural exchanges are among the documents inked between India and France. Under the space cooperation programme, ISRO and CNES have jointly identified the means to pursue further cooperation including possibilities through Missions, Payloads and Applications, exchange of young scientists and professionals in France and in India and conducting thematic workshops. "France has been a longstanding partner in our space programme. Later this month, ISRO will launch the integrated SARAL satellite carrying the ALTIKA and ARGOS payloads from the French National Space Agency," Singh said.