Ambassador Lenain also emphasised that there is “real” political consensus in France on enhancing ties with India….reports Asian Lite News
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Paris, India and France solidified their commitment to strengthen their bilateral relationship by agreeing to collaborate on the development of new generation military equipment. French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain announced on Tuesday that both countries have established a long-term roadmap for this strategic partnership.
Ambassador Lenain also emphasised that there is “real” political consensus in France on enhancing ties with India. He pointed to PM Modi’s productive meetings with prominent French leaders, including President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher, President of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet, and Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne. These meetings served to further cement the mutual desire for closer cooperation and cooperation between India and France.
“It shows that when it comes to India in France, there is real consensus. There is no difference. Everybody is so supportive and that is one of the trademarks of this partnership,” reports quoted Lenain as saying at a media briefing.
Advanced modular reactors
India and France have agreed to collaborate on low and medium power modular reactors or small modular reactors as well as advanced modular reactors.
This was decided post the bilateral discussions which took place between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French president Emmanuel Macron, last week in Paris.
“Both countries also agreed to work on establishing a partnership on low and medium power modular reactors or small modular reactors (SMR) and advanced modular reactors (AMR),” a joint statement issued after bilateral talks between Modi and Macron, had said.
Modi had visited France during July 13 and 14.
India and France also welcomed the progress made during discussions related to the much delayed Jaitapur nuclear power project. They welcomed Electricite de France’s (EDF, the French state-owned electric utility company) proposal for training of civil nuclear engineers and technicians from India for deployment in projects with European Pressurised Reactors (EPR) and looked forward to an early conclusion of an agreement in this regard.
Initially envisaged in 2010, the Jaitapur nuclear power project, which is to be set up with France’s collaboration, is yet to take off mainly owing to several issues, especially those related to nuclear liability as well as cost of power per unit. EDF had submitted its techno-commercial offer to construct six nuclear power reactors in Jaitapur, two years back.