New Delhi: India and France are trying to wrap up key discussions on a whole range of defence, security and strategic issues — including submarines, civil nuclear programme and fighter jets — ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France for the Bastille Day next week, ThePrint has learnt.
National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval Thursday held discussions with the diplomatic adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, Emmanuel Bonne, who is visiting India.
Sources in the defence and security establishment said the talks between the two were a continuation of strategic dialogue, and part of preparations for Modi’s visit.
The sources underlined the importance of Modi’s two-day visit to France, saying Paris is a key partner in defence, space and nuclear technology.
Asked about the projects under discussion between the two sides, the sources said the French have offered to build additional Scorpene submarines.
While six Scorpene submarines have been built in India so far — in a technology transfer agreement with the French firm Naval Group — the Indian Navy is pursuing Project 75 India, under which new underwater vessels are to be made with a different technology.
The French are out of the race for the new project because they don’t meet key tender requirements of the Indian Navy.
Also Read: Why Navy plan to fit Scorpene subs with made-in-India propulsion tech won’t materialise before 2024
Jet engines, nuclear power reactors
Another project that has been under discussion for long is the joint development of a more powerful jet engine that will power India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) through 100 percent technology transfer, unlike what is being done with the US (India and the US have agreed for joint manufacture of a jet engine to power the indigenous Tejas Mk 2 fighter jet but this does not involve 100 percent technology transfer).
For this, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is already in talks with French firm Safran but the process has been stuck over work share and cost.
Another key project that is under discussion is a government-to-government deal for the purchase of Rafale marine aircraft for the Indian Navy.
As reported by ThePrint, the Indian Navy has chosen the Rafale Marine over the American F/A-18 Super Hornets for its aircraft carrier operations.
France has also proposed to partner with India in terms of technology transfer for key missiles and make them jointly in India.
French Ambassador to New Delhi Emmanuel Lenain had told ThePrint earlier this year that France is a “great option” for India to diversify its defence supplies amid a heavy dependence on Russia, and that Paris is willing to do everything it can to ensure this.
India and France are looking at speeding up the delayed project to set up nuclear power reactors at Jaitapur in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.
This is France’s biggest civil nuclear project abroad and has been under discussion for over 14 years.
(Edited by Sunanda Ranjan)
Also Read: In Modi era, France has replaced Russia as India’s new best friend