Indo-French pact on diplomatic visas

India and France sign pact for waiver of visas for short-term diplomatic visits to encourage nuclear cooperation, Noopur Tiwari reports.

India’s foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai met French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius in Paris on Tuesday and signed an agreement between India and France for waiver of visas for diplomatic passports for short-term visits.

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Mathai said the countries need to have a more intense engagement to take forward the nuclear cooperation. Nuclear liability concerns should be addressed within the Indian law, he added. “The fact is that it is our law and we will do everything possible to address any issues the French might have by staying within the four corners of the law,” he said.

Regarding the nuclear power plants in Jaitapur, Mathai pointed out there were still a number of issues relating to the overall cost of the project that need to be addressed.

“I did convey we will be paying a lot of attention to getting these issues resolved. Either side agreed that the issues need to be dealt with a different perspective as several discussions have already happened between AREVA (French suppliers) and NPCIL (Indian plant operator),” he said.

On the short range surface to air missiles (SRCAM), Mathai said, the internal process was going on and India would go ahead with this project soon. “These will be very big projects and will require a close engagement between the industry and defence.”