Both the countries reiterated their commitment for early implementation of Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project after the conclusion of techno-commercial negotiations.

The cooperation between the two countries in defence and space research is slated to reach a new level. The Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile will be co-developed and co-produced in India with French assistance.

Negotiations on Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) contract are in progress and are expected to conclude soon. Projects for the Scorpene submarine and upgradation of the Migrage 2000 are progressing well.

Encouraged by the success of Megha-Tropiques Satellite launch in October 2011, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the integrated SARAL Satellite carrying the ALTIKA and ARGOS payloads from the French National Space Agency, later this month.

“We reviewed progress on the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project and reiterated our commitment to its early implementation as soon as the commercial and technical negotiations, which have made good progress, are completed,” said the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh after co-chairing the delegation level talks with the visiting French President Francois Hollande here on Thursday.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on February 4, 2009 between NPCIL of India and AREVA of France for setting up of 6 x 1650 MWe EPR units at Jaitapur. Both the leaders reviewed the status in regard to the first two EPR units and noted that NPCIL and AREVA were engaged actively in techno-commercial discussions. They expressed hope for the expeditious conclusion of the negotiations. It was emphasized that the Nuclear Power Plant at Jaitapur would incorporate the highest safety standards.

Expressing satisfaction with the progress in defence cooperation between the two countries, Dr Singh said it “is poised to reach a qualitatively new level.”

“Discussions on the MMRCA contract are progressing well. We have also concluded negotiations on the Short Range Surface to Air Missile, which, once approved by the Government, will be co-developed and co-produced in India. There is a welcome shift from defence trade to co-development and co-production of advanced defence items in India, which will help expand our domestic production base and strengthen the India-France strategic partnership,” the Indian Prime Minister said.

India and France signed at the official level four agreements on cultural exchange, higher education and research, long-term cooperation in space and railway sector modernisation.

A Credit Facility Agreement for Bengaluru Metro Rail Project Phase-I was signed between the Indian Finance Ministry and the French Development Agency, AFD.

Besides as many as 17 Letters of Intents, MoUs, and agreements were signed between the agencies and institutions of the two countries for cooperation in science and technology and education.