French minister for stronger defence ties with India

French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Saturday reiterated his country's commitment to boosting defence ties with India, including exchange of pilots, training and joint exercises.

French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Saturday reiterated his country's commitment to boosting defence ties with India, including exchange of pilots, training and joint exercises.

HT Image

The French minister, on the last day of his two-day visit, went to the Gwalior station of the Indian Air Force (IAF) where he was shown the French Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft, a statement said.

Mirage 2000 is a mainline fighter aircraft of the IAF and two such planes are being upgraded in France.

Jean-Yves Le Drian visited the flight line as well as the maintenance hangars and witnessed a Mirage 2000 fly past, it said.

On the conclusion of his visit to the Gwalior Air Force Station, the French minister made a private visit to the Jai Vilas Mahal museum, where he was welcomed by MP Yashodhara Raje Scindia. He also visited the Gwalior fort.

During his visit to India, he held consultations with defence minister AK Antony and also delivered a lecture at the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis, the statement said.