Seeking to bolster the Indo-French strategic partnership, French Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Marc Ayrault today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed a wide range of issues, including defence and terrorism.
"I spoke about different aspects of our partnership," Ayrault told reporters here on the sidelines of a function after his meeting with Modi, who was here to attend the 14th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the Centre's outreach programme for overseas Indians.
The French minister, who began his three-day visit to India from here, said: "We spoke about defence because India needs to protect itself. Therefore, defence is an important area. I also shared with him concerns about terrorism and how we are together in fighting it."
Noting that India has various defence needs, for example Rafale fighter aircraft, he said, "It needs subamarines, it needs helicopeters... So we did discuss all of these."
In September last year, India had inked a Euro 7.87 billion (about Rs 59,000 crore) deal with France for purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons and equipped with latest missiles that will give the IAF greater "potency" over arch rival Pakistan.
Ayrault said he and Modi also spoke about civil nuclear
energy because it can contribute to India's energy mix as the Indian Prime Minister has made a commitment to the Paris climate agreement.
Besides, space, another area of cooperation between the two countries as also the economic aspects of the Indo-French partnership and "multiple aspects of our investment" were covered during the talks, he said.
The issue of French companies investing in India in various domains like smart city, transport, energy, waste management and automobile was discussed, he said.
"We spoke about multiple aspects of our investment. Many French companies are present in India. We would also like Indian companies to invest in France... We must have the principle of reciprocity," he said.
Ayrault said he would meet Modi again on Tuesday, when he would attend the "Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit" in Ahmedabad. He is participating in the Summit, of which France is a partner country, at the invitation of the government of Gujarat.
The French minister, who began his visit to the country's IT hub by going to a temple and Russel Market, an old landmark in the city, also highlighted the cultural aspects of the relationship between India and France.
At Alliance Francaise, Ayrault launched the Bengaluru chapter of France Alumni network, a digital platform to connect foreign students who have studied French in higher education institutes.
The network would help alumni acquire key industry knowledge and explore career opportunities.
Ayrault said 4,000 Indian students had come to France in 2016 "which is a low number" and he had set an "ambitious goal" "ambitious goal" to take it to 10,000 by 2020.
The French minister will tomorrow take a ride on Bengaluru Metro, which is partially funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), go on a tour of Airbus Bizlab and meet Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman A S Kiran Kumar.
ISRO and French Space Agency (CNES) will conclude a partnership in satellite launch technology during his ISRO visit before he leaves for Gujarat on Tuesday, according to the programme schedule.
