Indo French Relationship Moves To Strategic Level With Close Cooperation On Terrorism And Nuclear Submarine. Know How?
Prime Minister Modi was accorded a red carpet welcome in France where he was received by Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Dria.
Then he had a one to one meeting with the French President for more than 90minutes at Chateau de Chantilly around 50 kms from Paris. They went through the entire dynamics and bilateral relationship.
A delegation-level talks also followed based on which the two countries signed four MoUs. In a joint press statement after the talks, President Macron said that Prime Minister Modi briefed him about the recent decision taken by India on Jammu and Kashmir and that it is in their sovereignty.
“I told him that India and Pakistan will have to find a solution to the issue and no third party should interfere or incite violence in the region “.
“I will also speak to Pakistan Prime Minister after a few days and tell him that the talks should be held bilaterally,” the French president said.
He also said that France will deliver 1st of the 36 Rafale fighter jets to India next month.
Speaking after Macron, Prime Minister Modi said the relationship between India and France is not based on any selfishness, but on solid ideals of ‘Liberty, Equality and Fraternity’ He said India and France will expand cooperation in counter terrorism and security.
“Both our countries are constantly facing terrorism. We thank President Macron for the valuable support that France has received in combating cross-border terrorism. We intend to broaden cooperation on security and counter-terrorism,” Modi added.
In a joint statement issued after the talks, the two leaders reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including cross-border terrorism and terror-related incidents in France and India.
“Both leaders reaffirmed that terrorism cannot be justified on any grounds whatsoever and it should not be associated with any religion, creed, nationality and ethnicity,” it said.
Recalling the joint statement on terrorism adopted by the two countries in January 2016, the two leaders reaffirmed their strong determination to eliminate terrorism wherever it is to be found and urged the international community to strengthen the efforts to counter and prevent terrorist financing.
Both the leaders also agreed to work for early convening of the Global Conference, proposed by India, to tackle the threat of terrorism around the world..
France is also seeking strategic partnership with India by offering nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN) for the first time. Sources say that French are also set to offer 36 follow-on Rafale fighters and F21 heavy weight torpedoes for Indian Navy Scorpene submarines in Government-to-Government deals.
India has an ambitious programme to build six nuclear-powered attack submarines at an approximate cost of over 100,000 Crore. The French are likely to offer partnership in designing and building these submarines in India. France’s Naval Group is currently building the Barracuda class SSNs for the French Navy.
The Indian Navy is currently operating one Akula class submarine, INS Chakra obtained on lease from Russia. It is also acquiring a second submarine on the same class on lease. With long-endurance under the sea, these vessels are powerful instruments of sea denial to adversaries.
The French offer will not only broaden India’s options to acquire game-changing weapon systems beyond its traditional arms supplier Russia but also dramatically widen the scope of Indo-French defence cooperation.
A big push is also expected to be given to the offer of 36 more Rafale fighters for the Indian Air Force. The 2016 order for the first lot of 36 Rafales under emergency procurement at a cost of 7.87 Billion Euros became politically contested. India, in the meanwhile, has announced a new programme to acquire 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) under the Strategic Partnership Model.
The Indian response to the French offer for a second lot of 36 Rafale fighters off the shelf will be closely watched. The Rafale is also expected to compete in India’s MRFA competition for meeting a larger requirement
Reports have indicated that the French offer for the second lot of off-the-shelf Rafales in the same configuration as those in the earlier order shall be significantly cheaper because the cost of the India-specific enhancements and setting up of maintenance infrastructure in India shall not be incurred for the second time.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa are set to travel to France on September 19 to accept the first delivery of the Rafale from the 2016 order. The French company Dassault is under contract to supply all 36 fighters by 2022.
India is in the market for heavy weight torpedoes for 6 under procurement Scorpene submarines after the Black Shark torpedo it had shortlisted earlier became unavailable because of the blacklisting of the Finmeccanica/Leonardo Group following the Agusta Westland helicopter scam.
The Black Shark is supplied by WASS, a Leonardo group company. The French Government is now putting its weight behind the offer of the Naval Group, the OEM for the Scorpene, for F21 torpedoes.
An offer by the French to get the Kaveri Jet on fully functional level will surely Cement this Strategic Partnership.
