On a day when India launched a French satellite from Sriharikota, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held bilateral talks with Foreign Minister of France laurent Fabius seeking more co-operation in the areas of space, civil and nuclear energy cooperation, defence and counter-terrorism.
India and France have a bilateral strategic partnership. France is supplying nuclear energy to the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant. Since France has some concerns with regard to Indian Civil Nuclear liability law, it was decided that experts of French company AREVA and NPCIl from Indian side will handle the techno-commercial aspects of this major project.
Fabius is the first European Minister to touch base with the new Indian Government. After his three-hour meeting with Swaraj, Fabius said, “I will convey PM Modi French President’s invitation to visit France as early as possible, probably by September after he visits UN General Assembly. Trust and cooperation has developed with the BJP Government since PM Vajpayee’s time in cutting edge technologies. Our relations should reach true potentials. Our bilateral trade remains behind potential in different sectors.”
He added France has put new procedures to deliver visa to Indian citizens in less than 48 hours. Fabius said France was keen to push trade with India and take it beyond the $18 billion