National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met with the French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu in Paris to discuss enhancing bilateral defence relations, advancing space collaboration, and the evolving global situation.
“On his visit to France, India’s National Security Advisor, Shri Ajit Doval, engaged in extensive discussions with French Armed Forces Minister, Mr Sebastien Lecornu,” the Indian embassy in France said in a post on X on Tuesday.
“Their dialogue aimed at deepening bilateral defence cooperation and advancing space collaboration, while also sharing insights on the evolving international geopolitical landscape,” it said.
On his visit to France, India’s National Security Advisor, Shri Ajit Doval, engaged in extensive discussions with French Armed Forces Minister, Mr. Sébastien Lecornu. Their dialogue aimed at deepening bilateral defense cooperation and advancing space collaboration, while also… pic.twitter.com/QZT7iyNYlt
— India in France (@IndiaembFrance) October 1, 2024
Lecornu also took to X after the meeting and said they discussed “our bilateral defence cooperation: Rafale Marine, Scorpene submarines, space. As well as the international situation, particularly in Ukraine.”
The French government has recently submitted the final price offer to India for the 26 Rafale Marine Jets deal. Sources reveal that France has proposed its best and final price offer to the Indian authorities, including a significant price reduction after tough negotiations in the proposed contract.
India is in the process of acquiring 26 Rafale-Marine jets, naval variants of the Rafale. The Indian Navy is looking to replace its ageing fleet of carrier-based jets, specifically the MiG-29Ks. Rafale-M jets would be operated from aircraft carriers like India’s INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. The potential deal for Rafale-M jets has been a part of India’s ongoing naval modernization program, and last week, the two sides engaged in tough negotiations to finalize the deal.
Doval met Emmanuel Chiva, DG of the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) today. They held comprehensive discussions on France’s defence planning and procurement systems; defence collaboration; and opportunities for startups & tech in future defence technologies and innovation.
During his two-day visit to France for the Indo-French Strategic Dialogue, Doval engaged in productive discussions with Emmanuel Bonne, the Diplomatic Advisor to President Emmanuel Macron. The talks encompassed key areas of bilateral cooperation and strategic importance, further solidifying the relationship between the two nations.
The Indian embassy said in a separate post that the dialogue “anchors the strategic partnership of great trust and comfort, and high ambitions and responsibilities in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, and from cyber to space.”
Meanwhile, NSA called on French President Emmanuel Macron and conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings.
Team BharatShakti
