France signs defense pact, sets target for Indian students – Gudstory

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said the roadmap is expected to help the Indian and French defense sectors partner in projects requiring joint design and production. It will focus on air, space, maritime, land warfare, robotics and artificial intelligence technology, among other areas.

Macron, who was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, held talks with Modi in Jaipur on bilateral relations and regional and global issues. The Red Sea crisis and Ukraine war were also discussed in the discussion. Macron has previously visited India in 2018 and 2023.

Earlier in the day, Macron announced a target of 30,000 Indian students in French institutions by 2030. On the social media platform X, the French President said that France would do this by launching new pathways to learn French; Developing the Alliance Francaise network; creating international classrooms for non-French speakers; and simplifying the visa process for those studying in France.

Both sides also agreed to sign a letter of intent to promote defense space cooperation. The goal, Foreign Secretary Kwatra said, is to enhance “space situational awareness” to prevent collisions in space and other activities such as Earth observation and remote sensing. New Space India Limited (NSIL) also signed an MoU with France’s Arianespace on satellite launches.

France-based Airbus Helicopters said it will partner with Tata Group to set up a final assembly line for helicopters in India, which will be its second final assembly line in the country. The assembly line will produce Airbus H125 helicopters from its civil range for India as well as for export to some neighboring countries.

Kwatra also confirmed an agreement on mobility for young professionals, saying a five-year Schengen visa provision will be activated for Indian students completing their Masters in France.

However, there was no announcement on the purchase of Rafale seaplanes or Scorpene submarines by India during the visit. “The trips are not focused on individual transactions,” Kwatra said.

“With respect to developments in the Red Sea, the potential disruptions and actual things happening in the maritime domain that are causing disruption to commercial shipping are a matter of grave concern and something both leaders are focused on,” Kwatra said.

The two sides also discussed the controversy surrounding French journalist Vanessa Dougnac. Recent reports state that India has asked Dougnac why his OCI card should not be withdrawn over allegations of “malicious” reporting.

Macron, who accompanied a 40-member team, is the fifth French leader to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations.

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Published: Jan 26, 2024, 11:14 pm IST