French President Francois Holland HAS places with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with a special look at defense relationships on the agenda.
Underscoring the importance of the visit, Holland was Accompanied by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian along with the chief executive officers of more than 60 leading French FIRMS.
A French official, speaking on conditions of anonymity, Said que le trip was Aimed at building on the "strategic Indo-French partnership Launched 15 years ago."
Holland Said That, his meeting with Singh Effective, That he was sure India was Carefully Considering all options for major defense purchases.
Holland added que les Indian government was Committed to foreign Considering all applications for big-ticket items in the India's Ministry of Defense and That year pipeline element of his visit was to highlight French companies in the Indian market Interested.
Singh averred, "The debate on the (contract) is Progressing well," Singh Said, Adding That "some progress has-been Achieved."
The majorité of India's international contracts in the defense sector are, Which has-been dogged by allegations of bribery and corruption. Addressing corruption allegations in civil nuclear in a contract for France's bid for participating in the building of India's Jaitapur nuclear power plant, Holland promised That's transactions with France India Would Be fully transparent.
In visiting the South Asian economic powerhouse, is making his first Holland to visit year emerging economy, with diplomatic sources Emphasizing That thing India Paris over Brazil, Russia Federation and the South Africa.
Singh and Holland STATED That Their mutual interest in cooperation was high technology programs, Including research and development and bilateral transfer of technology, one of India's Highest Priorities.
Holland joint venture projects Noted That Already the Indian navy online included indigenously built Scorpene submarine's and the upgrading of the Indian air force's French-built Mirage 2000 with Progressing negotiations. He Said aussi continue discussions to finalize the attached French-Indian Short Range Surface to Air Missile air defense project.
Holland's top priority is to secure defense the Indian air force Rafale purchase of 126 fighters from French arms manufacturer Dassault, a potential deal worth $ 12 billion. India thing the firm in 2012 says goal que le contract will not be signed Until midyear.
Franco-Indian trade REMAIN modest levels, worth $ 10 in 2012 and one billion more than it imports France sells to India.
Singh and Holland Besides by noting the progress on bilateral cooperation on the Scorpene submarine, Mirage 2000 and SRSAM joint ventures, reiterated Their Ongoing interest in negotiations on the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft program.
New Delhi diplomatic sources speaking not for attribution Said That Given France's inside track in New Delhi, Rafael's closest competitor, the four-nation Eurofighter consortium, Had Essentially abandoned icts bid for India's new fighter tender, you HAD Germany, Previously the leading country for the Indian air force fighter fight contract.
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