India, France to discuss ways to boost defence cooperation

French Defence Minister Florence Parley will hold extensive talks with her Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman tomorrow to deepen the already close bilateral strategic ties.

Parley, during her two-day visit, will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, meet National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and is expected to lay the ground for French President Emmanuel Macron’s upcoming trip to India.

In a statement, the French Embassy said the visit of Parley is aimed at strengthening all aspects of France’s “fast developing” defence cooperation with India, its foremost Asian strategic partner.

FR Minister for Armed Forces @florence_parly is on her way to India – France’s foremost Asian strategic partner https://t.co/wvcEkP4HsN

— Alexandre Ziegler (@FranceinIndia) October 26, 2017

“She will be received by the Prime Minister of India, and the Minister of Defence to prepare for the upcoming State visit of the President of the French Republic,” the Embassy said.

It said Parley’s talks with Sitharaman will range from defence cooperation, in particular on maritime security, joint exercises of the armed forces, counter-terrorism, to industrial and technological partnership under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

“They will also review progress made in major cooperation projects,” it said.

Parley is also likely to push for …read more