CHANDIGARH, Jan 24:
Against the backdrop of major terror strikes in France and India recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Francois Hollande today shared concern over the menace, with the Indian leader pitching for a collective fight to defeat the global challenge.
Addressing India-France Business Summit here after Hollande spoke, Modi said the French President “is correct” in saying that terrorism is a challenge just like global warming.
“Fighting against challenge of terrorism is the work for humanity. All those who believe in humanity, they will have to collectively fight against terrorism. India and France believe in humankind. We together along with other countries will eliminate terror forces and terrorism,” Modi said.
He assured Hollande that India is and will stand with France in fight against terrorism.
The comments came against the backdrop of two major terror attacks in India and France in the recent times. While Paris was attacked by ISIS in November, Pathankot in India was struck by Pakistani terrorists on January 1.
Modi used the occasion to hail the French Government, people and media of that country for continuing their development agenda even after the dastardly terror attack in Paris last November.
“France has shown the way to the world…Just few days after the attack, France hosted leaders of all countries (for climate summit). This is a brave act. I congratulate the citizens of France, especially the media there, that they supported their Government during the time of crisis,” he said, adding said India needs to learn lessons from it.
About 130 people were killed and hundreds were wounded in a coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015.
The Prime Minister also said the “trust and friendship” with France is an asset for India.
Meanwhile, an agreement between Airbus Group and Mahindra for manufacture of helicopters and three MoUs under the ‘Smart City’ theme were among the 16 pacts signed between India and France here today.
The Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs), which cover a wide range of sectors like urban development, urban transport, water and waste treatment and solar energy, were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande, who began his three-day visit from here today.
As part of ‘Make in India’ initiative, an agreement was signed between Airbus Group and Mahindra to manufacture helicopters here.
From the French side, the agreement for “cooperation” to manufacture the helicopters was signed by Pieree De Bausset, President and Managing Direcor Airbus Group India, while from the Indian side, it was inked by Prakash Shukla, the Group President of Mahindra Aerospace.
Besides, three MoUs were signed under the ‘Smart city’ theme for city-specific urban development between French Development Agency (AFD) with the State Governments for the cities of Chandigarh, Nagpur and Puducherry.
The aim of the MoUs is to provide specific technical assistance on urban development experts from the French Government’s programme.
Urban Development Experts from the French public sector will be based in each city, CII President Sumit Mazumder said on the occassion.
Under the MoU, expert in the fields of urban transport, water and waste treatment, solar energy, urban planning and architecture and heritage they will assist the three cities with their smart city development plans.
A joint Venture between Indian SITAC group and EDF Energie Nouvelles was signed to acquire 50 per cent stake in its renewable energy business in Gujarat.
This JV investment is worth 155 Million Euros in 2016 and would generate 142 MW power. Its objective is to produce one gigawatts wind energy in five years period.
A letter of intent between CEA (the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission) and CG (Crompton Greaves) was also signed during the business summit.
Both the companies wished to explore opportunities of collaborations in Solar PV with storage function for Indian airports.
The final goal of the collaboration for CG is to set up manufacturing facilities using its infrastructure and expertise in India and technology knowhow of CEA, which is a center for technological research in new energy and storage technologies.
Another Letter of Intent was signed between CEA and Green Ventures. The CEA will work on off grid solar photovoltaic projects in the Indian rural areas with the aim to deliver tangible climate change benefits.
Besides, nine French companies signed MoUs with Engineering Projects India (EPI) Ltd, a public sector company fully owned by the Government of India.
The French companies are Alstom Transport, CAN, Dassault, EDF Energies Nouvelles, Egis, Lumiplan, Pomagalski, Schneider Electric and Thales.
The MoUs between the nine companies and the EPI are in the field of new and cutting edge French technologies for smart and sustainable cities.
Earlier, Hollande affirmed that the Rs 60,000 crore Rafale fighter jets deal with India was “on the right track” and that it would pave the way for an unprecedented industrial and technological bilateral cooperation for the next 40 years.
There has been speculation whether the final deal for India to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets would be inked during Hollande’s State Visit, which commenced with his arrival in Chandigarh today.
The deal was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to France last April.
Asked if he hoped to see the final deal inked during his current visit, Hollande said in a interview that “we are on the right track” but agreeing on the technicalities of this arrangement obviously takes time.
He also noted that Indo-French cooperation in defence “is part of our strategic partnership. It is based on trust, a very strong trust between both our countries.”
Answering a question on the Pathankot terror strike and that most of the terror attacks in India emanate from Pakistan, Hollande said, “France strongly condemned the attack on Pathankot. India is fully justified to ask for justice against perpetrators.”
“India and France are confronted with similar threats: we are attacked by murderers who pretend to act on religious basis. Their real objective is widespread hate. They want to undermine our democratic values and our way of life. India and France are united in their determination to act together against terrorism.”
Following is the transcript of the interview with President Hollande: Q: Mr President, you will be the record fifth French Head of State to be the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day parade later this month. That reflects growing strategic ties between India and France.
Ans: I am on a State Visit to India for the second time and I am very proud to be the Chief Guest of the Republic Day. The Indo-French relationship is based on shared values: freedom, democracy, progress.
A French contingent will march along Indian forces on Rajpath. This is historic. The 35th Infantry was created in 1604. These last weeks, it took part in a counter-terrorism exercise with the Indian Army in Rajasthan. I would like to add that it also fought in India against the troops of the East India Company in the 1780s along with the troops of the ruler of Mysore. I received Prime Minister Modi in Paris, less than a year ago. We have established a relationship of trust. And further raised the level of our partnership.
Q: Do you think that these ties have reached their full potential or is there room for doing more? If yes, what are the areas in which you would like greater cooperation between the two countries?
Ans: I also come to India to strengthen our relationship in several areas: defense, space and civil nuclear energy. As well as education, research, culture. Our cooperation on the fight against climate change and on clean energies has taken on an unprecedented importance. And India has contributed to the success of the Paris climate conference. There we launched the Solar Alliance and committed to concrete programs – in renewable energies, energy storage, urban development. My visit will enable us to conclude a series of new agreements and take a step towards the implementation of the agreements we signed last April in Paris. I am thinking of railways, smart cities, food security, higher education. As well as cinema. The variety of subjects reflects the density of what France and India can do together.
Q: France is a major defence supplier to India and the Rafale fighter jet deal announced during Prime Minister Modi’s visit last year is a reflection of that. Do you hope to see the final deal inked during your stay in India?
Ans: Our cooperation on defense is part of our strategic partnership. It is based on trust, a very strong trust between both our countries.
The Rafale is a major project for India and France. It will pave the way for an unprecedented industrial and technological cooperation, including ‘Make in India’, for the next 40 years. Agreeing on the technicalities of this arrangement obviously takes time, but we are on the right track.
Q: India has further opened up its markets to foreign investment and has improved the ease of doing business in this country. What do you hear from the French industry about these Indian reforms? Do French investors want India to take more steps for them to be comfortable in investing in India?
Ans: I am accompanied by a large business delegation. French companies invest a lot in India. The stock is now over 20 billion euros. French companies offer 300,000 qualified jobs and invest in professional training. Almost 1,000 French companies are present in India and they are successful.
Let me give you a few examples: Cap Gemini IT will reach 100,000 jobs in India, a thousand times more than the 100 people employed 15 years ago. Safran Morphodeveloped, for India, the biometric technology that made it possible to register one billion Indians for the ID program Aadhaar. Alstom Transport recently signed a contract for the production of 800 electric locomotives and will invest in a production unit ‘Make in India’ in Bihar.
Following the rise of foreign direct investment’s cap from 26 to 49 per cent, AXA made a major investment to increase its share in Bharti group. There are dozens of such examples. SANOFI will soon launch brand new vaccine production units near Hyderabad for India and for export.
Q: Paris suffered the terrible terror attack in November last. India, as you know, has been targeted by terrorists for long now. Most of the terror attacks in India emanate from Pakistan where some of the biggest terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) etc. are based, the United States and the United Nations have for long been pressing Pakistan to take action against these networks. What would you like to tell Pakistan in this regard?
Ans: India and France are confronted with similar threats: we are attacked by murderers who pretend to act on religious basis. Their real objective is widespread hate. They want to undermine our democratic values and our way of life. India and France are united in their determination to act together against terrorism.
France strongly condemned the attack on Pathankot. India is fully justified to ask for justice against perpetrators. I congratulate Prime Minister Modi for his diplomacy reflecting both a sense of proportion and a strong determination. He recently took important steps to engage in a dialogue with the political leadership in Pakistan.
Solidarity between France and India is natural. I would like to thank once again President Mukherjee and Prime Minister Modi for their messages after the Daesh (ISIS) attacks in Paris in November. French people have also been very touched by the numerous gestures of friendship received from all over India. I think in particular of a paper banner 24m long bearing the signatures and drawings of thousands of school children. The flow of Indian tourists and visitors continued to increase this winter, helping Paris to remain the Paris we love. They are warmly welcome, more than ever.
We engage constantly with India. The Indo-French working group on counter-terrorism met just after the Paris attacks in November 2015. That was the best answer to show our determination in front of jihadism. (PTI)
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