Francois Hollande’s visit aims at strengthening relations: French Ambassador

The three-day visit is timed to the Indian Republic Day celebrations. So I can not say what will be the outcome of this. It’s not finalised yet.

Ever since India elected Narendra Modi as prime minister in May 2014, there seems to be a new spring in the step of Indian relations with France.

“Our bilateral relationship with France is very comprehensive”.

Since then the talks were expedited between both sides. By 2017, four MiG-21 and five MiG-27 squadrons will hit the hay from the Air Force. “Negotiations are at an advanced stage and basically it is for the ministry of defence really to comment on that particular aspect”. Still hurting from the November 13 terror attacks in Paris, Hollande swore to help make 2016 a year of “transition in Syria”. “Moreover, words bearing in English as well as in French languages can also be seen there, as we have been working to write some words there”, said a senior UT official. It is changing the way nuclear negotiations are being conducted. We will have also announcement in the field of space. We will have project in the wind energy. “Investment will be announced”, Richier said, adding there will also be cooperation in marine biotechnology.

Mr. Hollande’s visit will include a CEOs’ Forum interaction in Chandigarh as well as an India-France Business Summit, at which a number of B2B agreements are expected to be signed in the presence of the two leaders. “And the negotiations are still on what kind of financial penalties can be imposed on Dassault Aviation Company which is making the combat plane if the performance was unsatisfactory”, sources in the MoD told FE. The two will hold extensive talks here a day after during which ways to strengthen counter-terror cooperation in the aftermath of Paris and Pathankot terror strikes will figure prominently.

During the course of the French leader’s visit, the foundation stone of the interim secretariat of the International Solar Alliance will also be laid in Gurgaon.

Speaking at an annual gathering of about 200 foreign and French ambassadors, Hollande outlined his foreign policy objectives for the year, saying France would not shirk its responsibilities in fighting militancy after two deadly attacks marked his country last year.