India, France ink 14 key agreements after talks between PM Modi, President Macron | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

India, France ink 14 key agreements after talks between PM Modi, President Macron

Agencies | By
Mar 10, 2018 02:53 PM IST

Addressing a joint press conference after the talks with President Macron, PM Modi said the two countries have robust cooperation in the fields of defence and security.

India and France on Saturday inked 14 key agreements in the strategic areas of security, nuclear energy, and protection of classified information, as companies from the two countries signed contracts worth €13 billion ($16 billion).

French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend a signing of agreements ceremony at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, March 10, 2018.(Reuters)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend a signing of agreements ceremony at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, March 10, 2018.(Reuters)

The agreements, including those in the field of education, environment, urban development and railways, were signed after extensive bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in New Delhi on Saturday.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Addressing a joint press conference after the talks with President Macron, PM Modi said the two countries have robust cooperation in the fields of defence and security.

“Our strategic partnership may be just 20 years old, but our cultural and spiritual partership is even older. The values of liberty, equality and fraternity echo not just in France but have been embedded in India’s Constitution as well,” the Prime Minister said.

For his part, Macron said India and France have decided to work together to deal with threats of terrorism and radicalisation.

Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance, he said.

“We want India as our first strategic partner here, and we want to be India’s first strategic partner in Europe, and even the western world,” the French president said.

Both the leaders also talked about cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

The deals signed by companies from the two countries include a contract for France’s Safran to supply airline SpiceJet with engines, water system modernisation by Suez in the southern city of Davangere and a contract between industrial gas company Air Liquide and Sterlite, the French presidency said in a statement.

Macron’s office did not provide a breakdown of the contracts’ values or details about the deals. It said some €200 million of investments will be made in India.

A so-called “Industrial Way Forward Agreement” was signed between French utility EDF and India’s NPCIL for the construction of six nuclear reactors at Jaitapur. Negotiations over the construction of next-generation nuclear reactors in India have been dragging on for years.

It was not immediately clear whether these were firm contracts or letters of intent.

Macron, who arrived in India on Friday night, was given a ceremonial welcome this morning.

“Another chapter in the glorious book of our friendship! PM Narendra Modi welcomes President of France Emmanuel Macron at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi ahead of the bilateral talks,” MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted along with pictures of the two leaders.

Macron is in India on a four-day visit. He was received at the airport on Friday night by Prime Minister Modi, in a special gesture.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday called on Macron and discussed ways to further enhance the India-France Strategic Partnership that was forged in 1998.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Bihar Board 12th Result Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On