The Hindu Business Line : India, France to sign agreements in defence, aerospace sectors

FRENCH CALL: The French President, Mr Jacques Chirac, with his wife Mrs Bernadette Chirac, arriving at Air Force Station, Palam in the Capital on Sunday. — Ramesh Sharma

New Delhi , Feb. 19

INDIA and France are set to sign a host of agreements in a variety of fields including defence and aerospace during the three-day visit of the French President, Mr Jacques Chirac, which began on Sunday.

The French President, who arrived from Thailand, is accompanied by a high-powered delegation that includes the Foreign Minister, Mr Philippe Douste-Blazy, the Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry, Mr Thierry Breton, and the Chief Executive Officers of about 30 French companies.

Among the agreements likely to be signed include a declaration on the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and an agreement on defence cooperation.

In addition, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation, Antrix is expected to sign a contract with EADS Astrium to jointly build a satellite for Eutelsat.

Besides, MoUs on cooperation between IIM Ahmedabad and ESSEC (École Supérieure des Sciences Économiques et Commerciales) and BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency), Ministry of Power and AEDEME (Agence de l' Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l' Energie) and on tourism cooperation are also likely to be signed.

In addition, the contract of State-owned carrier, Indian Airlines, for the purchase of 43 Airbus aircraft could also be initialled during the visit.

France is an important trade and investment partner of India and both countries have agreed to make efforts to double bilateral trade in five years from the present level of euro 3.5 billion.

Mr Chirac's visit follows closely the visit of the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, to France last September.

Meanwhile, Kingfisher Airlines, has announced that it is to purchase 15 French made ATR 72-500 aircraft.

In a statement, the aircraft manufacturer has said that the airline has decided to convert the 15 options it had placed for the ATR aircraft in November last year into a firm order. In addition, the airline announced that it is also looking at picking up another 20 ATR aircraft.

The contract, excluding the 20 optional aircraft that the airline may acquire, is valued at $270 million. The delivery of the 15 aircraft is scheduled to begin from next year.

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