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Ready to provide additional Rafale jets to India: France

Indo-France industrial and technological partnership is expected to form an integral part of the talks today between defence minister Rajnath Singh

France is ready to provide additional Rafale fighter jets to India if and when a request is put forward for the same, said French defence minister Florence Parly on Friday, ahead of the all-important 3rd Annual Defence Dialogue with her Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh.

“We are open and ready to provide any other Rafale jets if that is India's decision,” the French minister, who is visiting the country to strengthen Indo-French strategic and defence ties, was quoted as saying by the ANI news agency. “We are ready to answer any additional needs or requests that could be made by India. We know that an aircraft carrier will soon be delivered. Aircraft are needed.”

Parly was engaging in a discussion organised by the Ananta Aspen Centre entitled “How does France cooperate with India to defend a rules-based Indo-Pacific region?” The session was moderated by Dr Mohan Kumar, chairman of Research and Information System for Developing Countries and former Ambassador of India to France.

Indo-France industrial and technological partnership, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ‘Make in India’ vision, is also expected to form an integral part of the talks today between defence minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart Florence Parly. According to those familiar with the developments, the talks will also cover aspects of counter-terrorism cooperation and wide-ranging Indo-French defence cooperation, including operational defence cooperation, particularly maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.

Source : Hindustan times