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New Delhi: India and France on Friday decided to step up their bilateral, regional and defense industrial cooperation as Defense Minister Rajnath Singh called on French firms to “either cooperate with Indian companies or produce in India”.
Rajnath made a strong pitch for greater industrial cooperation as his French counterpart, Florence Parly, said his country was “open and ready” to provide any additional Rafale fighter jets to India.
Several issues related to defense cooperation were discussed during the 3rd Annual Defense Dialogue between India and France held in New Delhi on Friday. Parry, who is the Minister of the Armed Forces of France, is in India on an official visit.
Government sources said the two ministers exchanged views on Pakistan and China. Parly said that China was “Getting more and more aggressive” in the Indo-Pacific region as well as in the South China Sea.
Sources said both sides expressed concern over the situation in Afghanistan amid reports of violence in the wake of the Taliban takeover.
Speaking about the main issues under discussion, sources said military cooperation, especially aerospace cooperation, was the focus.
He said India highlighted the ‘Make in India’ initiative and added that it does not just mean manufacturing to fulfill India’s defense orders – it means producing for the world.
When asked about Singh’s French message, the sources said, “French companies can either collaborate with Indian companies or can only produce in India.”
French companies are eyeing the Indian Navy’s multi-billion dollar Project 75 India (P75I) to build six conventional submarines, while also pursuing a large order for fighter jets from the Indian Air Force. Used to be.
Open and ready for more Rafale
Speaking at a symposium organized by a think-tank ahead of talks with Singh, Parly said that France is open and Ready To provide additional Rafale aircraft on request of India.
“We stand ready to respond to any additional needs or requests that India may make. We know that an aircraft carrier will be delivered soon. Aircraft is needed. So we are open and if it is India’s decision then we are ready to provide any other Rafale.”
France has so far delivered 33 of the 36 Rafale aircraft ordered in 2016, and the remaining three are due to arrive in India next month.
Emphasizing on the French commitment to India, Parly said that his country understands the need for Indian ingredients more than any other country and is therefore fully committed to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, apart from helping Indian manufacturers. Committed to integrating more into our global supply chain.
He said ‘Make in India’ has been a reality for French companies for many years, especially for defense equipment like submarines.
India and France are already building six Scorpene-class submarines in Mumbai, of which four have been commissioned by the Indian Navy.
China is getting more aggressive
While discussing China, Parly said that Beijing was Also a partner for France in trade and commerce.
“But we also see that China is becoming more and more aggressive in this region, and it is even more specific when it comes to the (South) China Sea,” she said.
He said that for France and India, freedom of navigation is not just a principle in the law of the sea.
Parly said that France wants to preserve the Indo-Pacific as an open and inclusive region and it should be free from any “coercion”.
“We see that sometimes there are attempts to close this (South) China Sea and we want to make sure that this freedom of navigation is respected,” she said.
(Edited by Rohan Manoj)
Read also: Why did Rajnath raise China’s Ladakh aggression in 2+2 talks with Beijing’s friend Russia?
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