Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande held wide ranging discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues reflecting their convergence in world views. In a joint statement, they reaffirmed their commitment to the strategic partnership and agreed to further deepen and strengthen bilateral ties based on shared principles and values relating to democracy, freedom, rule of law and respect for human rights.
Besides accepting PM’s offer to help in developing Smart cities in India, Hollande noted with satisfaction a number of new and ongoing projects of French companies in keeping with the “Make in India” policy. The two leaders encouraged their commercial enterprises for an early conclusion of techno-commercial discussions on the proposal for construction of six nuclear power plants at Jaitapur. Reaffirming their independence and strategic autonomy, France and India commit to continuing their joint efforts to tackle global challenges.
As global partners, India and France reiterated the need for urgent reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council. France reaffirmed its support for India’s candidature for a permanent membership of the UN Security Council without further delay.
The leaders expressed satisfaction at the regular and frequent high level visits and meetings; growing cooperation in strategic sectors, especially, defence, space, civil nuclear and security; expanding trade and investment ties; cooperation in science and technology; and increasing exchanges in cultural, educational and tourism sectors.
On climate change efforts, the two leaders expressed confidence that the Paris Conference will finalize an historic agreement for the post 2020 period. This will further strengthen the resolve and the efforts of the international community to address the profound challenge of climate change, to facilitate access to a low carbon pathway and resilient sustainable development for all whilst keeping the global temperature rise below 2 degree C.
France welcomed India’s offer to be a partner of the Smart cities development scheme and is ready to implement its best technological solutions and share its experience in the field of integrated sustainable cities, in particular in urban planning, urban grids, water and sanitation, sustainable mobility and digital technologies. The two leaders noted with satisfaction: Modi reiterated India’s strong condemnation of the heinous terrorists attack in France in January 2015. -in-India, N power
Recalling that terrorism is a constant and strategic threat and that both our countries are facing the threat of terror on their soil, France and India are determined to support each other in combatting this scourge. The two countries agreed to commence bilateral dialogue to discuss ways and means of enhancing their cooperation in the maritime domain, in particular in the Indian Ocean Region.
The two leaders noted with satisfaction the holding of second round of the Cyber Dialogue on March 17, 2015 in New Delhi, which outlined new areas of cooperation between France and India in the field of cyber security.
The leaders stressed the importance of joint military exercises between their Armies (Shakti), Navies (Varuna), and Air Forces (Garuda) and welcomed the participation of the French Carrier Battle Group in the Varuna exercise in the Indian Ocean in the coming weeks. In response to new emphasis on defence manufacturing by the Government of India, they encouraged their respective business enterprises to enter into arrangements for co-development and co-production of defence equipment in India, including transfer of know-how and technologies.
The two leaders encouraged their commercial enterprises for an early conclusion of techno-commercial discussions on the proposal for construction of six nuclear power plants at Jaitapur. They also urged their atomic energy establishments to lay an ambitious foundation for the future of India-France civil nuclear cooperation, including a wide range of subjects, including in the area of civil nuclear liability
On economic cooperation, India and France noted that there has been an uneven and subdued improvement in the state of the global economy and agreed that implementing structural reforms and appropriate macroeconomic policies are necessary for attaining long term stability and growth of global economy. They expressed support for G-20 as the key Forum for international economic cooperation. They noted with satisfaction a number of new and ongoing projects of French companies in keeping with the “Make in India” policy.
In the field of transport, the leaders look forward to cooperating in areas such as modernisation of the Railways and in high speed and semi-high speed rail projects.
President Hollande confirmed the target of credit line of 1 billion Euros over the next three years for sustainable infrastructure and urban development in India.
On people-to-people contacts, the two leaders stressed that there is immense potential for increasing tourism between France and India. France welcomes India’s decision to extend Tourist Visa on Arrival to its nationals. While Modi welcomed the French decision to implement a scheme for expedited 48 hours visa issuance for Indian tourists.
Modi and Hollande welcomed the range of cooperation initiatives undertaken by Indian and French institutions in a move to promote and preserve the unique heritage of the two countries. They welcomed the decision of the Government of India to support the organisation of a Regional Hindi Conference, for the first time, in Paris in view of the growing interest in France in Hindi. They welcomed the declaration of 21 June as the ‘International Day of Yoga’ by the United Nations and agreed to celebrate the ‘International Day of Yoga’ in a befitting manner.
Expressing a mutual interest in boosting the number and quality of student exchanges, the two leaders invited educational institutions of both countries to further expand their cooperation especially in the field of engineering and applied sciences. They called for further development of cooperation in the field of technical and vocational education in line with the needs of the industry.
In the field of sports, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to develop their cooperation to reach athletic excellence and youth empowerment. A MoU providing for exchanges on sports medicine, training of executives, exchanges on expertise in high level sports, institutional cooperation, promotion of participation of women in sports and prevention and fight against doping in sports was signed during the visit.