Rafale fighter jet transfer talks put on fast track: Richier

The French Ambassador said the negotiations,which started in early 2012, have taken three years due to the "importance and complexity" of the deal.

December 18, 2014 03:36 pm | Updated 03:57 pm IST - Kolkata

This March 29, 2011, file photo provided by the French Army, shows a Rafale jet fighter taking off from the flight deck of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean sea. Talks are on between India and France for the transfer of the jets for induction in the Indian Army.

This March 29, 2011, file photo provided by the French Army, shows a Rafale jet fighter taking off from the flight deck of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean sea. Talks are on between India and France for the transfer of the jets for induction in the Indian Army.

Negotiations regarding the transfer of Rafale fighter jets from France to India have made good progress and have been put on fast track, Ambassador of France to India, Francois Richier, said in Kolkata on Wednesday.

 

Voicing satisfaction over the talks, Mr. Richier, who was on a three-day visit  to Kolkata told journalists that the talks, which started in early 2012, have taken three years due to the "importance and complexity" of the deal.

 

 “We have decided to finish the negotiations quickly, to put negotiation on fast track. To complete that, there is no date fixed but conclusion of negotiations is on the fast track,” the Ambassador said.

 

 In January 2012, India entered into a multi-billion dollar contract for the 126 medium multi role combat aircraft for Indian Air Force with France-based Dassault Aviation.  As per the contract  the first 18 jets were supposed to be delivered in India from France  within 36 months of the contract being signed and remaining 108 are to be manufactured  by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL)  in India over next seven years with transfer of technology.

 

 Asked about France’s delay in delivering warships to Russia, the  French Ambassador  referred to the crisis in Ukraine and said that it is not refusal but conditions are not conducive for  the deal.

 

High-speed train project

 

Mr. Richier said France is also involved in important infrastructure project in India, the high-speed train between Bombay and Ahmedabad.   At this moment   feasibility studies are on for the project, he said, adding  that new railway lines needs to be laid for the high–speed train.

 

The Ambassador said that two such studies are made, one by the Japanese and another by the French.

 

Stating that  India has to decide with which country they have to ahead with Mr Richier while adding that  France is good at bullet trains, said  the  country’s cooperation with Indian Railways is not only restricted to the project but also in areas  of safety and management of railway stations.

 

The Ambassador said that SNCF the French Railways is directly involved in the feasibility study  and expressed hope that soon the chairman of  French Railways will be in India.

 

 

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