India-France Discuss Military Co-op

New Delhi, July 27, IRNA - India and France here on Friday discussed bilateral military cooperation including the progress over rs50,000-crore 126 multirole combat aircraft deal during the Defense Minister-level talks. In a joint statement issued after the deliberations between Defense Minister A K Antony and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, the two sides said they have agreed to further strengthen their defense ties as they were mutually beneficial. The ministers had detailed discussions regarding current and future cooperation in the areas of defense equipment and technology collaboration. They agreed that such cooperation should continue to be progressed to the mutual benefit of both countries, including in high technology areas involving joint research and development and transfer of technology, it said. India and France are holding negotiations to finalize the over rs50,000-crore deal for procuring 126 Rafale combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force. India has been moving ahead on the negotiations very cautiously amid complaints in the past over the process of selection of Rafale as the lowest bidder. The chances of the deal being signed before the end of this fiscal are bleak. The two sides are also holding negotiations for a rs30,000-crore project for co-developing the Maitri surface-to-air missile defense system. In recent times, India has awarded several big-ticket contracts to the French including the deal for building six Scorpene diesel-electric submarines for the Navy. The statement said, Antony and Le Drian held detailed and useful talks on regional and international security challenges of mutual interest. India is apprehensive about the impact of withdrawal of American troops in 2014 from Afghanistan on the security scenario in the immediate and extended neighborhood. The two sides also reviewed the status of various measures for bilateral defense cooperation and the progress in areas pursuant to their discussions in February this year during the French Presidents visit to India, the statement said. The Ministers noted that defense cooperation is an important pillar of the strategic partnership between both countries and that the ongoing dialogue and cooperation is mutually beneficial to both nations, it said. They agreed to enhance exchanges between their respective defense institutions and armed forces including in the areas of military education and training and through the conduct of military exercises. The two countries welcomed the upcoming bilateral exercise Shakti in September 2013 in France between both armies. The Ministers noted with satisfaction that the Navies of both countries are working towards finalizing the schedule for the conduct of Exercise Varuna off the coast of India and also that the next Air Force exercise Garuda would be held during the first half of 2014, the statement said. The two ministers tasked the High Committee on Defense Cooperation (HCDC), which is scheduled to meet in France in October this year, to follow up and finalize practical measures to expand and deepen the bilateral partnership in defense. The Ministers exchanged views on issues relating to UN peace keeping operations and maritime security./end