Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to France beginning Thursday will have a strong focus on trade and economy, especially integration of industrial supply chains, as well as co-production, co-development  & co-design of military equipment linking it to `Make in India’, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra has said.

Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron will review cooperation under key pillars of the strategic partnership including security, civil nuclear technology, counter-terrorism, cyber security, space, climate change and integration of supply chains, Kwatra said at a media briefing on Wednesday. The two leaders will also participate in the India-France CEO Forum.

Modi will be the Guest of Honour at Bastille Day celebration on July 14 which commemorates the Storming of the Bastille Prison in 1789 during the French Revolution. He is scheduled to meet a number of political leaders of France, including  Macron, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and the Presidents of the Senate (Upper House) and National Assembly (Lower House)

“If you look at different dimensions of India-France partnership, you will find that trade, investment and technology, whether it is related to goods or services, have always been a strong focus of our engagement. The CEO Forum provides both leaders an opportunity to give a clear direction to CEOs from both countries to look at new elements of trade, technology and investment partnership,” Kwatra said.

Given the type of changes taking place in the world, how exactly do the industrial supply chains of France, including the value supply chains, get integrated between the two countries will be an important element of the discussions during the visit, he said. “These would be naturally positioned in the CEO forum meeting when it takes place on July 14. This would be one of the key centrepieces of discussion when the two leaders meet and when they together speak with the CEOs,” Kwatra said.

Defence ties

Strengthening defence cooperation will be of primary focus during the visit. While the Foreign Secretary did not share details, sources tracking the matter have said that India may soon procure 26 Naval variant of Rafale jets and three Scorpene submarines from France.

Kwatra said that Modi and Macron will discuss ways to move the engagement towards “co-production, co-development and co-design” of military hardware and linking it to ‘Make in India’.

When asked about the 1650 MW nuclear power reactors in Jaitapur in Maharashtra, he said both sides are engaged in intense discussions to resolve all issues including those relating to civil nuclear liability, cost and techno commercial matters.

Indo-France bilateral trade

Indo-France bilateral trade doubled in the last decade to $ 15.1 billion in 2021-22, while foreign direct investment from France has been $ 10 billion, making the country a top investor in India, according to figures shared by French Minister for Foreign Trade Olivier Becht recently. The proposed India-EU FTA is also likely to be on the agenda, according to sources.

Modi’s visit coincides with 25th anniversary of India–France Strategic Partnership. “The PM’s visit is an opportunity to chart way for the next 25 years, coinciding with 100th anniversary of independence in 2047,” the source said. 

The Indian PM will visit Abu Dhabi on July 15 during where he will meet President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and discuss bilateral relations focussing on areas such as energy, food security, emerging technologies, fintech and defence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France this week, on the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, will have a strong focus on trade and economy with both leaders set to jointly hold a CEO Forum comprising representatives of “top businesses” from both sides, according to sources.

Modi, during his visit on July 14-16, has interactions scheduled with the entire political leadership of France, including Macron, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, and the Presidents of the Senate (Upper House) and National Assembly (Lower House), the source added.

The Indian PM will be the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day celebration which commemorates the Storming of the Bastille Prison in 1789 during the French Revolution

“Tri-services contingent from India will participate, including IAF aircrafts. This is a great honour as foreign marching contingents and foreign aircraft participation in the Bastille Day celebration is rare,” the source said.

Strengthening trade and investment ties

The visit will focus big on strengthening trade and investment ties between the two countries and the two leaders are also likely to discuss the speedy conclusion of the proposed India-EU FTA under negotiations.

“Modi and Macron are scheduled to meet CEOs from top companies from both sides and participate in discussions to remove hurdles and boost cooperation. The proposed India-EU FTA is also likely to be on the agenda,” an industry official said.

Indo-France bilateral trade doubled in the last decade to $15.1 billion in 2021-22, while foreign direct investment from France has been $10 billion, making the country a top investor in India, according to figures shared by French Minister for Foreign Trade Olivier Becht.

Modi’s visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of India–France Strategic Partnership. “The PM’s visit is an opportunity to chart way for the next 25 years, coinciding with 100th anniversary of independence in 2047,” the source said.

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