France’s agreement with India to strengthen arms cooperation.
According to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper, with French President Emmanuel Macron as the guest of honor at the Republic Day military parade in New Delhi, France, and India emphasized their close cooperation.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Macron to do so after US President Joe Biden declined the invitation due to a “tight political schedule”. The cancellation led to speculation that it could be related to an investigation in the United States into an alleged assassination plot against an Indian-origin Sikh activist, allegedly by an employee of the Indian government.
Macron’s immediate reception in India was seen as a sign of friendship. Indian Foreign Minister Vinay Kwatra told reporters on Friday that Macron and Modi agreed to closer cooperation in defense equipment, space, science and technology, and health.
The Indian company Tata has entered into a partnership with one of the subsidiaries of Airbus for the production of helicopters. According to Kwatra, the political debate was very much focused on global developments such as Gaza and the Red Sea.
For the French president, the issue of “strategic partnership” with India was also discussed during this trip. This is Macron’s third visit to India. Last year, Modi was the guest of honor at the traditional July 14 military parade in Paris.
This “strategic partnership” mainly involves arms deals. Last July, India approved the purchase of 26 Rafale fighter jets for its new Vikrant aircraft carrier. France was competing with the United States, which offered India Boeing Super Hornets. Was.
The €5.5 billion deal has been closed, but final agreements are still pending. France has become very cautious since the collapse of the submarine deal with Australia. That is why Macron came to India to maintain good relations. France has already sold six Scorbon submarines to India. The heads of major defense companies also traveled to this country along with Macron’s delegation.