V R Lalithambika, former Director, Directorate of the Human Spaceflight Programme, ISRO, was conferred the top French civilian honour of Lgion d'Honneur for her engagement in space cooperation between France and India. The award was given to her by Ambassador of France to India, Thierry Mathou, on behalf of the French government, here on Tuesday. Created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Lgion d'Honneur (the Legion of Honour) is the highest civilian award given by the French Republic for outstanding service to France, regardless of the nationality of the recipients. A specialist in advanced launch vehicle technology, Lalithambika, a distinguished scientist of ISRO, has worked extensively on various ISRO rockets, particularly the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), according to a press release issued by the Embassy of France in India. In 2018, as Director of the Human Spaceflight Programme, she coordinated closely with the French National Space Agency (Centre national d'tudes ..
As per the proposal, the Indian Navy will get 22 single-seated Rafale Marine aircraft along with four trainer aircraft
Senior officials of India and France held a two-day military dialogue with a focus on boosting overall defence cooperation. The 21st edition of India-France Military Sub Committee (MSC) meeting was held on October 16 and 17 at the Air Force station in the national capital. India-France MSC is a forum established to advance defence cooperation through regular talks at strategic and operational levels. "The meeting was conducted in a friendly, warm and cordial atmosphere," the defence ministry said. "The discussions focussed on new initiatives under the ambit of existing bilateral defence cooperation mechanism and strengthening ongoing defence engagements," it said. The defence and strategic ties between India and France have been on an upswing in the last few years. In July, India and France announced a raft of ground-breaking defence cooperation projects including the joint development of jet and helicopter engines and construction of three Scorpene submarines for the Indian Navy
Earlier on Wednesday, Rajnath Singh visited the Safran Engine Division's R&D Centre at Gennevilliers near Paris, to see the latest developments in aero-engine technology
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will pay a four-day visit to Italy and France beginning Monday to expand bilateral strategic engagement and explore industrial cooperation for joint development of military hardware. In the first leg of his two-nation tour, Singh will travel to Rome where he will hold wide-ranging talks with his Italian counterpart Guido Crisetto, according to the defence ministry. The relationship between India and Italy was elevated to the level of strategic partnership in March during the Italian prime minister's visit to India. "Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Italy and France from October 9 to 12, " the ministry said. In Paris, Singh will attend the fifth annual India-France defence dialogue with his French counterpart Sebastian Lecornu. "India and France recently celebrated 25 years of strategic partnership. Both countries enjoy a deep and wide-ranging bilateral defence relationship, including significant industrial cooperation," the defence ministry s
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will pay a four-day visit to Italy and France beginning Monday to expand bilateral strategic engagement and explore industrial cooperation for joint development of military hardware. In the first leg of his two-nation tour, Singh will travel to Rome where he will hold wide-ranging talks with his Italian counterpart Guido Crisetto, according to the defence ministry. The relationship between India and Italy was elevated to the level of strategic partnership in March during the visit to India of the Italian prime minister. "Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Italy and France from October 9 to 12, " the ministry said. In Paris, Singh will attend the fifth annual India-France defence dialogue with his French counterpart Sebastian Lecornu. "India and France recently celebrated 25 years of strategic partnership. Both countries enjoy a deep and wide-ranging bilateral defence relationship, including significant industrial cooperation," the defence mini
The India-France partnership is "universal" as it goes from the "sea to the space", France's Ambassador-designate to New Delhi Thierry Mathou said on Monday, vowing to work towards further strengthening it. Mathou's comments came shortly after he arrived in New Delhi. He succeeds incumbent Emmanuel Lenain. In his arrival message, Mathou also quoted 19th-century French historian Jules Michelet who described India as "the matrix of the world". "I am taking office at an exceptional time. This year is not only an opportunity to celebrate the length and depth of the relationship between our two nations. "It is also the moment that has been chosen to look towards the future by setting the course of our partnership for the next 25 years up to 2047 which will celebrate the centenary of India's independence and of the diplomatic relations between France and India," Mathou said. He also hailed India's approach of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam -- One Earth, One Family, One Future" during its G20 ..
Russian President Vladimir Putin, his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken underlined their "special", "privileged" and "strategic" partnership with New Delhi as they wished India on its 77th Independence Day on Tuesday. In a message of greetings to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Independence Day, President Putin said he is confident that the two nations will continue to boost fruitful bilateral cooperation in all areas through joint efforts, as well as constructive partnership in resolving pressing issues on the regional and global agenda. We attach great importance to our relations of special and privileged strategic partnership with New Delhi," he said. Putin emphasised that the achievements that India has made in the economic, scientific, technological and social fields are universally recognised. "India enjoys well-deserved authority on the ...
Political observers will do their own math to explain what might have led to such an unusual alignment of political correctness
Both countries hailed the success of the 1st Scorpene submarine construction programme (P75 - Kalvari), a model of 'Make-in- India' and the sharing of naval expertise between companies in 2 countries
India and France agreed to develop new generation military equipment as part of a long-term roadmap during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Paris, French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain said on Tuesday. The envoy also said that there is "real" political consensus in France on enhancing ties with India as he cited Modi's meetings with President of the French Senate Grard Larcher, President of French National Assembly Yal Braun-Pivet and Prime Minister lisabeth Borne. "It shows that when it comes to India in France, there is real consensus. There is no difference. Everybody is so supportive and that is one of the trademarks of this partnership,"Lenain said at a media briefing. Prime Minister Modi visited Paris on July 13 and 14 during which both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expand overall strategic cooperation including in defence. "Defence cooperation has always been very important for the two countries as we feel that in order to be independent, we have to be secure. And
Army Chief General Manoj Pande on Monday felicitated members of the tri-services contingent which participated in the Bastille Day Parade in France last week, and said they have made the armed forces and India proud. At an event held at the Manekshaw Centre here, the Army chief also said the Indian contingent who went to France has played a significant role in boosting the image of the country. "You have not only made the three services -- army, air force and navy -- proud but also made the whole nation proud," he said in his address. The sending of a tri-services contingent from the army, the air force and the navy, was in itself very significant, Gen Pande said. He also mentioned that some members of the Punjab Regiment got to visit the war memorial at Neuve-Chapelle, a World War I memorial in France built in memory of Indian soldiers who laid down their lives, and pay their respects there. The Indian tri-services contingent participated in the Bastille Day celebrations in Franc
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the bond between India and France transcends time, echoing in their shared values and kindling their collective dreams. Reacting to French President Emmanuel Macron's tweet in which he posted a short video of Modi's visit to the country, the prime minister said he will always cherish his visit to the country. In his message with the video, Macron had written, "To the people of India, trust and friendship." Modi said, "India and Francea bond that transcends time, echoing in our shared values and kindling our collective dreams. I will always cherish my recent visit to France. Thank you my friend, President @EmmanuelMacron.
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The statement of Naval Group comes after India and France hailed the success of the first Scorpene submarine construction programme (P75 - Kalvari) which is a model of 'Make in India'
A version of the India-France joint document issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) late on Friday referred to an agreement for procuring three Scorpene submarines but this portion didn't figure in an updated version. The document titled "Horizon 2047: 25th Anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, Towards A Century of India-France Relations" noted that two sides welcomed the agreement between Mazgaon Dockyard Ltd and Naval Group for the construction of three additional submarines under the P-75 programme. However, the version available now on the MEA's website does not have that portion. People aware of the matter said the joint document that is available on the ministry's website was agreed on by both countries and the same text is on the French website too. They said it seemed some earlier negotiating text got uploaded on the ministry's website for a short while. That was not an agreed text in any way, said one of the people.
India and France have agreed to intensify maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and increase militaries' naval visits as they strive to build a balanced and stable order in the strategically important region, with respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and President Emmanuel Macron's vision of security and cooperation outlined in the Indo-Pacific Strategy of France are very much aligned, said the 'India-France Indo-Pacific Roadmap', released after the bilateral talks between the two leaders here on Friday. "We believe that the India-France partnership will be a crucial pillar of the inter-connected and intersecting arrangements in the Indo-Pacific region and indispensable for a peaceful and prosperous future for the Indo-Pacific region," the two leaders said, amidst an assertive China flexing its muscle in the region. France has a sizable presence in the Indo-Pacific region in .
India and France have stepped up their collaboration in combating climate change and in environmental protection, and announced that they will constructively engage other like-minded countries to strengthen the negotiations for an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution. After talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron here on Friday, the two countries made a joint commitment to eliminate single-use plastic products pollution, including a ban on single-use plastic products which have low utility and high littering potential. Addressing a joint press event with Macron, Modi said climate change and environmental protection have been the common and main priority for both India and France. "In this direction, we had already established the International Solar Alliance, which has now become a movement. We now want to work fast on the roadmap for blue economy and ocean governance," the prime minister said. "We will move forwa
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gifted a sandalwood replica of musical instrument sitar to French President Emanuel Macron and Pochampally silk ikat in a sandalwood box to his wife Brigitte Macron, officials said on Friday. This decorative replica gifted to the president carries images of Saraswati, considered the Goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom and learning, holding the musical instrument sitar and Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. The unique replica of the musical instrument is made of pure sandalwood, officials said, adding that the art of sandalwood carving is an exquisite and ancient craft that has been practised in southern India for centuries. The piece is illustrated with peacocks, the national bird of India and embellished with intricate carvings that reflect the myriad motifs from Indian culture, they said. Pochampally silk ikat fabric, which has roots in Pochampally town in Telangana, is a mesmerizing testament to India's rich textile heritage, th
PM takes part in Bastille Day parade; says two countries agreed to launch UPI in France