By: JurmoloyaRava
In an attempt to strengthen France’s fast developing defence cooperation with India, French Minister for the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, will undertake a two-day visit to India, beginning Friday.
She is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of Defence, Nirmala Sitharaman, to prepare for the upcoming state visit of the French President Emmanuel Macron.
She will hold delegation-level talks with her Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday. Their talks will range from defence operational cooperation, in particular on maritime security, joint exercises of the armed forces, counter-terrorism, to industrial and technological partnership under the Make in India initiative. They will also review progress made in major cooperation projects.
A major highlight of the French minister’s visit will be her participation at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) at MIHAN SEZ in Nagpur.
The joint venture plans to develop several key components for Rafale Fighter Jets under the Make in India initiative. The joint venture is part of Dassault’s offset obligations for the Rupees 58,000 crore deal to supply 36 Rafale fighter jets to India.
The aerospace park will manufacture aircraft components for the Indian and global mark.
She will also board the INS Kalvari, the first of the six Scorpene submarines, said the Embassy.
“At the Western Naval Command, Parley will be received by Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, WNC, for discussions on Indo-French defence and security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.
“One of the most dynamic aspects of the Indo-French strategic partnership, this will be a key issue of President Macron’s State visit,” said the embassy statement.
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