French President François Hollande on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. Having tackled > business-to-business issues at their meeting in Chandigarh on Sunday , Mr. Modi and Mr. Hollande focussed on inter-governmental issues today. The two countries have signed an MoU on purchase of Rafale fighter jets.
Mr. Modi said only the financial details needed to be worked out in finalising the much-awaited purchase of Rafale jets from France. “Only financial aspects of the Rafale deal is left. The inter-governmental agreement has been finalised. It will be done soon,” the Prime Minister.
Mr. Hollande arrived in India for a three-day visit on Sunday. He will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade on Tuesday.
Modi-Hollande bilateral talks: Key issues
- -Upgrade of strategic partnership established in 1998
- -Talks on counter-terror cooperation and Homeland security dialogue.
- -Completion of Inter Governmental Agreement for purchase of 36 Rafale aircrafts.
- -Nuclear issues over current Jaitapur plant, discussions on more nuclear plants.
- -Space cooperation, including launch of satellite for climate change research.
- -Renewable energy MoU and global solar alliance.
Live updates:
3:32 pm:
Indian Railways to buy 800 railway coaches from Alstom, agreement on renovation of Ambala-Ludhiana stations.
Here's the >full text of the Joint Statement issued by India and France .
It's Mr. Hollande turn.
2:51 pm: Six civil nuclear reactors in Jaitapur in one year.
2:48 pm: PM Modi wanted climate justice to be part of climate deal in Paris.
2:47 pm: Financial issues over Rafale aircraft purchase to be sorted out in a 'couple of days'.
2:46 pm: Rafale aircrafts have proven themselves against IS and we are happy to be able to provide them to India.
2:45 pm: India and France will strengthen their cooperation on terrorism, cybersecurity; agreed on roadmap to tackle trafficking.
2:44 pm: IS attacked France, provoked us. I am determined to strike them.
2:42 pm: Commend PM Modi for his contribution to Climate Change conference.
2:40 pm: Honoured to be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade and proud to celebrate the Indian Constitution.
Mr. Modi is speaking:
2:39 pm: India is privileged to share one of its oldest and most trusted strategic partnerships with France.
2:38 pm: Our Joint Statement on counter terrorism underscores our determination to combat all forces that sponsor, shelter and support terrorism.
2:37 pm: From Paris to Pathankot, we saw the gruesome face of the common challenge of terrorism.
2:36 pm: From locomotives to satellites, archaeological excavations to smart cities; solar energy to nuclear power; our decisions have touched all domains.
2:35 pm: From security of borders to smart cities to solar energy to nuclear power, we have strengthened our relation.
2:33 pm: We are very happy that we have formed an agreement for purchase of 36 Rafale aircrafts with France.
2:35 pm: Our 67th Republic Day will be 5th time a French President is Chief Guest and the first time a country's troops march with ours.
2:32 pm: India is privileged to share one of its oldest and most trusted strategic partnerships with France.
Our Correspondents Kallol Bhattacherjee, Suhasini Haidar report:
2:29 pm:MoU on the purchase of Rafale aircraft signed between France and India.
2:26 pm: Indian Railways to buy 800 railway coaches from Alstom, agreement on renovation of Ambala-Ludhiana stations.
2:24 pm: Implementation of payload agreement for Indian satellite exchanged. ISRO and CNES exchange agreements on nuclear cooperation.Also on infra-red earth monitoring mission. CNES to participate in ISRO's next mission.
2:23 pm: 13 documents to be exchanged between India and France.
2:08 pm: Indian and French journalists wait at Hyderabad House as Hollande-Modi meeting stretches on.
1.25 pm: Earlier this morning, the French President also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi by placing a wreath at the memorial of the Father of the Nation at Rajghat.
1.15 pm: " The economic presence of France in India goes back a long way. France is the third biggest foreign investor in India," says Mr. Sapin. (ANI)
1.10 pm: Want to encourage Indian Government to continue the reform movement it has launched, says Mr. Sapin. (ANI)
1.00 pm: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley meets the French delegation under the French Minister of Finance Michel Sapin.
12.45 pm: French sources say a series of agreements are to be announced at the Modi-Hollande press conference.
12.30 pm: Both heads of state are scheduled to sign a slew documents relating to several areas of cooperation between the two countries.
12.15 pm: Mr. Modi holds delegation level talks with Mr. Hollande. "Expanding the strategic partnership with France," says MEA Spokesperson, Vikas Swarup.
12.00 pm: Mr. Hollande meets PM Modi at Hyderabad House.
More than a friendship with France. PM >@narendramodi receives President >@fhollande at Hyderabad House. >pic.twitter.com/c0fWUUkA0Z
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) >January 25, 2016
11.55 am: He also inspected the guard of honour at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
11.50 am: "I'd like once more to thank India for its welcome" said Mr. Hollande after being greeted by President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
11.40 am: Mr Hollande said that the two countries are going to “follow up” on all decisions on the climate change front as well as areas of economic cooperation. >Read full story here.
11.30 am: Earlier in the day, President Hollande received a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The President of India & PM >@narendramodi at the Ceremonial Reception of French Prez Francois Hollande >pic.twitter.com/mIcJcU3pe0
— PIB India (@PIB_India) >January 25, 2016Published - January 25, 2016 12:07 pm IST
