India has agreed to buy 36 multi-role Combat Aircraft in a flyaway condition as quickly as possible. This was stated in a joint statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President, Francois Hollande in Paris Friday.
The two countries also agreed on setting up of six units of nuclear power plants totaling 1650 MW at jaitpur in Maharastra. Addressing the media, the Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi who is on a three-day visit to France said that terms and conditions on purchase of Rafale fighter jets would be better than given before and France has supported India desire to promote make in India on Jaitpur plant. He said an agreement has also been signed to reduce cost of production of power by increasing localisation.
Earlier, the two nations signed twenty agreements covering the fields of Defence and Nuclear Energy, Space, Economic relations, Railways, Energy, Tourism, Science and Technology, Skill Development and Ayurveda agreement between the French Company Areva and the Indian Company L&T will be a model in Forging Make in India campaign.
Joint Statement refers to the common desire to tackle terrorism and promote security, India and France agreed to intensify their co-operation on counter- terrorism including information and intelligence sharing.
On Climate Change, the statement says the two leaders underlined the importance of joint research and popularisation of clean energy.
On Railways, the two countries agreed to explore for a semi high-speed project on upgradation of the Delhi – Chandigarh line to 200 km per hour. France also agreed to earmark one billion euro over three years for infra and urban development in India
Speaking on the occasion, the President of France , Hollande said that Paris fully supports India’s case for the permanent membership of the UN Security Council and the visit of the Prime Minister and these will take the bilateral relation to a new level.