France’s Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, has described 2026 as a landmark year for bilateral ties, declaring the India-France Year of Innovation a major boost to the “Special Global Strategic Partnership”.&nbsp;Speaking at Bastille Day celebrations in India, Ambassador Mathou praised the rapid momentum in relations, just months after the Year of Innovation was officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on 17 February.&nbsp;“In just seven months, our leaders have already met through two official visits,” he said. President Macron’s February trip to Mumbai and Delhi included the launch of the Year of Innovation and the AI Impact Summit, building on the Paris AI Action Summit co-chaired by India in 2025. In June, Mr Modi made his seventh visit to France, with innovation again at the heart of discussions at events including the Bharat Innovates forum in Nice and VivaTech in Paris.&nbsp;The ambassador highlighted deepening multilateral cooperation, noting PM Modi’s participation in the G7 Summit in Évian, the same venue where India was first invited to the grouping's meeting by France in 2003.&nbsp;He also welcomed broader India-EU ties, pointing to the European Union’s role as Guest of Honour at India’s Republic Day and the recent announcement of a long-awaited free trade agreement. Ambassador Mathou outlined four key priorities shaping the partnership under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap: innovation, sovereignty, addressing global challenges, and people-to-people ties.&nbsp;“Innovation is not simply the theme of this year; it is increasingly the way we work together,” he said. More than 100 events have connected universities, start-ups, research centres and businesses across both nations. A flagship initiative is the Indo-French Innovation Network, a digital platform launched by the two leaders in Mumbai to foster long-term collaboration.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-withdraws-20-hormuz-transit-fee-announces-full-blockade-on-iran-1784043804696">Trump withdraws 20% Hormuz transit fee, announces full blockade on Iran</a>&nbsp;On sovereignty, the ambassador stressed the depth of defence cooperation, describing it as “a powerful illustration of our mutual trust and respect”. France supports “Make in India” through co-production, with recent milestones including Safran’s LEAP engine centre in Hyderabad and Tata’s Airbus H125 helicopter assembly plant in Bengaluru.&nbsp;He noted that sovereignty today also encompasses strategic autonomy, economic security and technological excellence. “In a world marked by growing uncertainty, France and India are working together across all these areas because strategic autonomy does not mean standing alone,” he added.&nbsp;The two countries continue to collaborate on AI governance, climate action, the International Solar Alliance and disaster resilience. At the G7 in Évian, France pushed for deeper engagement with India on development finance, global health and protecting children in the AI age.&nbsp;People-to-people links remain fundamental. Ambassador Mathou recalled the largest-ever Indo-French academic gatherings in Delhi in February and new university partnerships. France is committed to hosting 30,000 Indian students by 2030. This autumn, India will host the Women’s Forum for the Economy &amp; Society in Mumbai for the first time.

Ambassador Thierry Mathou said innovation has become the driving force of the India-France partnership, with both countries expanding cooperation in defence, technology, education and global challenges.

France’s Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, has described 2026 as a landmark year for bilateral ties, declaring the India-France Year of Innovation a major boost to the “Special Global Strategic Partnership”. Speaking at Bastille Day celebrations in India, Ambassador Mathou praised the rapid momentum in relations, just months after the Year of Innovation was officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on 17 February. “In just seven months, our leaders have already met through two official visits,” he said. President Macron’s February trip to Mumbai and Delhi included the launch of the Year of Innovation and the AI Impact Summit, building on the Paris AI Action Summit co-chaired by India in 2025. In June, Mr Modi made his seventh visit to France, with innovation again at the heart of discussions at events including the Bharat Innovates forum in Nice and VivaTech in Paris. The ambassador highlighted deepening multilateral cooperation, noting PM Modi’s participation in the G7 Summit in Évian, the same venue where India was first invited to the grouping's meeting by France in 2003. He also welcomed broader India-EU ties, pointing to the European Union’s role as Guest of Honour at India’s Republic Day and the recent announcement of a long-awaited free trade agreement. Ambassador Mathou outlined four key priorities shaping the partnership under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap: innovation, sovereignty, addressing global challenges, and people-to-people ties. “Innovation is not simply the theme of this year; it is increasingly the way we work together,” he said. More than 100 events have connected universities, start-ups, research centres and businesses across both nations. A flagship initiative is the Indo-French Innovation Network, a digital platform launched by the two leaders in Mumbai to foster long-term collaboration. Also Read: Trump withdraws 20% Hormuz transit fee, announces full blockade on Iran On sovereignty, the ambassador stressed the depth of defence cooperation, describing it as “a powerful illustration of our mutual trust and respect”. France supports “Make in India” through co-production, with recent milestones including Safran’s LEAP engine centre in Hyderabad and Tata’s Airbus H125 helicopter assembly plant in Bengaluru. He noted that sovereignty today also encompasses strategic autonomy, economic security and technological excellence. “In a world marked by growing uncertainty, France and India are working together across all these areas because strategic autonomy does not mean standing alone,” he added. The two countries continue to collaborate on AI governance, climate action, the International Solar Alliance and disaster resilience. At the G7 in Évian, France pushed for deeper engagement with India on development finance, global health and protecting children in the AI age. People-to-people links remain fundamental. Ambassador Mathou recalled the largest-ever Indo-French academic gatherings in Delhi in February and new university partnerships. France is committed to hosting 30,000 Indian students by 2030. This autumn, India will host the Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society in Mumbai for the first time.

Ambassador Thierry Mathou said innovation has become the driving force of the India-France partnership, with both countries expanding cooperation in defence, technology, education and global challenges.

French Ambassador Mathou hails ties with India, emphasises on innovation linkages

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Paris for the final leg of his high-profile European tour. After concluding a series of productive sessions at the G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains, where he championed the concerns of the Global South, PM Modi now turns his focus to technology and innovation. During his time in Paris, the PM is scheduled to attend the prestigious VivaTech 2026 summit alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and address the Indian diaspora, further solidifying the Special Global Strategic Partnership between India and France.


PM Modi Arrives in Paris After Concluding G7 Summit in Evian

Films. Food. Fighter jets. Foreign policy. France!

There are a lot of F words to celebrate this week for India, and Bengal in particular. The French Connection is more than apparent for Bharat after Payal Kapadia's movie, All That We Imagine As Light, won the Grand Prix at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival alongside Kolkata's own Anasuya Sengupta who bagged the Best Actress award.&nbsp;

But behind the more prominent headlines from Cannes, there is a lot happening to suggest that Indians are saying "Paris, I love you!" with a passion that might remind you of a dancing Shammi Kapoor in An Evening In Paris. There is a reason for this affair extending to foreign policy, but before that, I want to share a fine story with you, told to me by Shombit Sengupta, a well-known brand guru who used to be an interpreter for visiting Indians such as filmmaker Satyajit Ray when he was based in France.&nbsp;

Sengupta says he asked celebrated French filmmaker Louis Malle why he loved Kolkata, then Calcutta, so much. Malle said he was once filming a documentary in then Calcutta when a policeman stopped him to ask who he was. Upon learning that he was a filmmaker from France, the cop told him: "Do you know Maupassant? You must make a film on his stories!"&nbsp;

Malle, himself a celebrated Cannes winner, turned to Sengupta and said: "Where else in the world would you find a street cop who knows about Maupassant? That is why I love Calcutta."&nbsp;

Such fascinating tales apart, there is a lot happening to suggest that India's connection with France is reaching new heights thanks to resurgent nationalism and a love of fine culture. You can raise a French toast to that, or rather, some Burgundy wine, as the toast in this question is eaten more than raised.&nbsp;

India and France are scheduled to begin on May 30 negotiations for a Rs 50,000-crore deal to buy 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets. These fighters, once in, will be airborne from aircraft carriers like INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. Long torn between US-made F-16s and Russia's MiG fighters, Rafales, despite the political controversy surrounding their purchase, have been a fine tradeoff between Washington, which has historically had cosy ties with Pakistan that made India feel cold, and the quality of the MiGs that has seen accidents that have cost Indian lives.&nbsp;

The French, like India's Bengalis, love films, fish, and football. The cultural factor has always been a key force in bilateral relations.&nbsp;

A less visible aspect of the French connection was announced quietly this year. Le Cordon Blue, France's century-old culinary arts and hospitality institution, announced an enhanced partnership through a campus in Gurugram's GD Goenka University with which it has had a decade-old relationship. LCB plans to triple student capacity through a 50,000-square feet training facility.&nbsp;

Indian chefs are joining its young filmmakers in making waves across the globe, and the French are unwilling to be left behind. There are now 10 Michelin star chefs from India now in the honour named after a French tyremaker that invented the award.&nbsp;

The Indo-French camaraderie may also have something to do with a bitter-sweet relationship that both France and India have with Britain. As a British colleague from the Jersey Isles located in the English Channel once told me: "The distance between England and France is only 20 miles but it is the longest 20 miles in the world."&nbsp;

The distance is 21 miles, to be precise, but precision rarely matters where cultural prejudices can be both funny and irrational.&nbsp;

Jokes apart, France is a useful ally for India, especially after the rise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has clearly sought to decolonise some of the old influences. This means distancing New Delhi from both Washington and London and maintaining a studied equidistance from various world powers, with the possible exception of China, which is too close for comfort.&nbsp;

With a fierce culturally and politically independent position of its own within the European Union, France is just right for India. Several Indians, from Tamil actor Sivaji Ganesan to diplomat politician Shashi Tharoor have been conferred France's highest civilian honour, "Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur”. Some Cordon Bleu graduates and a Cannes award or two add some spice from the country that has in the past seen protests against Mickey Mouse-led Euro Disney, which manages to exist now as Disneyland Paris despite grunts of protest from the land that would rather celebrate the Made-in-France Asterix comics.&nbsp;

In "Asterix and the Magic Carpet",&nbsp;Watziznehm takes Asterix and Obelix back to his “Indian kingdom”, where they help him save a princess from becoming a human sacrifice to a rain god. That is as subtly racist as the English idea of stereotyping India as the land of the fakir with a rope trick. But then, the French are learning now that India is an emerging economy and an ambitious Asian power.&nbsp;

We also heard a decade ago that the creators of a fresh series of the Asterix franchise were planning a new character in the Gaul village called Gandhix. That does not seem to have happened. It is not clear if that has anything to do with the rise of the Gandhi-family-baiting Narendra Modi in 2014. &nbsp;We shall let that pass.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)&nbsp;

Films. Food. Fighter jets. Foreign policy. France! There are a lot of F words to celebrate this week for India, and Bengal in particular. The French Connection is more than apparent for Bharat after Payal Kapadia's movie, All That We Imagine As Light, won the Grand Prix at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival alongside Kolkata's own Anasuya Sengupta who bagged the Best Actress award.

Films. Food. Fighter jets. Foreign policy. France! There are a lot of F words to celebrate this week for India, and Bengal in particular. The French Connection is more than apparent for Bharat after Payal Kapadia's movie, All That We Imagine As Light, won the Grand Prix at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival alongside Kolkata's own Anasuya Sengupta who bagged the Best Actress award. But behind the more prominent headlines from Cannes, there is a lot happening to suggest that Indians are saying "Paris, I love you!" with a passion that might remind you of a dancing Shammi Kapoor in An Evening In Paris. There is a reason for this affair extending to foreign policy, but before that, I want to share a fine story with you, told to me by Shombit Sengupta, a well-known brand guru who used to be an interpreter for visiting Indians such as filmmaker Satyajit Ray when he was based in France. Sengupta says he asked celebrated French filmmaker Louis Malle why he loved Kolkata, then Calcutta, so much. Malle said he was once filming a documentary in then Calcutta when a policeman stopped him to ask who he was. Upon learning that he was a filmmaker from France, the cop told him: "Do you know Maupassant? You must make a film on his stories!" Malle, himself a celebrated Cannes winner, turned to Sengupta and said: "Where else in the world would you find a street cop who knows about Maupassant? That is why I love Calcutta." Such fascinating tales apart, there is a lot happening to suggest that India's connection with France is reaching new heights thanks to resurgent nationalism and a love of fine culture. You can raise a French toast to that, or rather, some Burgundy wine, as the toast in this question is eaten more than raised. India and France are scheduled to begin on May 30 negotiations for a Rs 50,000-crore deal to buy 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets. These fighters, once in, will be airborne from aircraft carriers like INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. Long torn between US-made F-16s and Russia's MiG fighters, Rafales, despite the political controversy surrounding their purchase, have been a fine tradeoff between Washington, which has historically had cosy ties with Pakistan that made India feel cold, and the quality of the MiGs that has seen accidents that have cost Indian lives. The French, like India's Bengalis, love films, fish, and football. The cultural factor has always been a key force in bilateral relations. A less visible aspect of the French connection was announced quietly this year. Le Cordon Blue, France's century-old culinary arts and hospitality institution, announced an enhanced partnership through a campus in Gurugram's GD Goenka University with which it has had a decade-old relationship. LCB plans to triple student capacity through a 50,000-square feet training facility. Indian chefs are joining its young filmmakers in making waves across the globe, and the French are unwilling to be left behind. There are now 10 Michelin star chefs from India now in the honour named after a French tyremaker that invented the award. The Indo-French camaraderie may also have something to do with a bitter-sweet relationship that both France and India have with Britain. As a British colleague from the Jersey Isles located in the English Channel once told me: "The distance between England and France is only 20 miles but it is the longest 20 miles in the world." The distance is 21 miles, to be precise, but precision rarely matters where cultural prejudices can be both funny and irrational. Jokes apart, France is a useful ally for India, especially after the rise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has clearly sought to decolonise some of the old influences. This means distancing New Delhi from both Washington and London and maintaining a studied equidistance from various world powers, with the possible exception of China, which is too close for comfort. With a fierce culturally and politically independent position of its own within the European Union, France is just right for India. Several Indians, from Tamil actor Sivaji Ganesan to diplomat politician Shashi Tharoor have been conferred France's highest civilian honour, "Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur”. Some Cordon Bleu graduates and a Cannes award or two add some spice from the country that has in the past seen protests against Mickey Mouse-led Euro Disney, which manages to exist now as Disneyland Paris despite grunts of protest from the land that would rather celebrate the Made-in-France Asterix comics. In "Asterix and the Magic Carpet", Watziznehm takes Asterix and Obelix back to his “Indian kingdom”, where they help him save a princess from becoming a human sacrifice to a rain god. That is as subtly racist as the English idea of stereotyping India as the land of the fakir with a rope trick. But then, the French are learning now that India is an emerging economy and an ambitious Asian power. We also heard a decade ago that the creators of a fresh series of the Asterix franchise were planning a new character in the Gaul village called Gandhix. That does not seem to have happened. It is not clear if that has anything to do with the rise of the Gandhi-family-baiting Narendra Modi in 2014. We shall let that pass. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Cannes, chefs and Rafales: India ups its French affair in a torrid summer

The upcoming Republic Day celebrations in India will witness the participation of two French Rafale fighter jets, a French transport aircraft, and a formidable 95-member contingent from the prestigious French Foreign Legion. Renowned for its elite training and global service under the French flag, the Legion adds a distinguished touch to the celebration.

Notably, French President Emmanuel Macron has been invited as the chief guest for India's Republic Day on January 26, an honour New Delhi reserves for nations with close bilateral ties.

This marks the second instance of a French armed forces contingent marching on Kartavya Path. In 2016, French Army soldiers made history as the first foreign military contingent to participate in India's Republic Day, coinciding with the invitation extended to then-President Francois Hollande as the chief guest.

The involvement of French Air assets and a marching contingent this year is reminiscent of the Indian Air Force's Rafale jet and a 269-member tri-services contingent's participation at Champs-Élysées last year. This occurred during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role as the guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade in Paris.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-gears-up-for-75th-republic-day-parade-rehearsals-at-kartavya-path-begin-680890">Watch |India gears up for 75th Republic Day, parade rehearsals at Kartavya Path begin</a>

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Macron's presence as the chief guest for India's Republic Day marks the sixth instance of a French leader receiving this honour. In 1976, French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac was the first-ever French leader to be invited to the grand event.

Subsequent invitations were extended to French president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing in 1980, Jacques Chirac in 1998, Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008, and François Hollande in 2016.

The French president is set for a two-day India visit from January 25 to 26. His journey will commence in Jaipur, Rajasthan, where he will join a roadshow with PM Modi.

Accompanied by a high-level delegation, including CEOs, the visit anticipates significant announcements, particularly in the defence space, a key pillar of bilateral ties. Discussions about the Scorpène-class submarine and Rafale M deals are believed to be heading in a positive direction.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/republic-day-parade-2024-complete-guide-to-buying-tickets-online-and-offline-all-you-need-to-know-680949">Also read |&nbsp;Republic Day Parade 2024: Complete guide to buying tickets online and offline | All you need to know</a>

This marks President Macron's second state visit to India, with the previous one in 2018. Notably, PM Modi and President Macron have convened four times in the last six months, including meetings at the Delhi G20 summit, the India-visited virtual summit, and discussions on the sidelines of the climate summit in Dubai.

The upcoming Republic Day celebrations in India will witness the participation of two French Rafale fighter jets, a French transport aircraft, and a formidable 95-member contingent from the prestigious French Foreign Legion.

The upcoming Republic Day celebrations in India will witness the participation of two French Rafale fighter jets, a French transport aircraft, and a formidable 95-member contingent from the prestigious French Foreign Legion. Renowned for its elite training and global service under the French flag, the Legion adds a distinguished touch to the celebration. Notably, French President Emmanuel Macron has been invited as the chief guest for India's Republic Day on January 26, an honour New Delhi reserves for nations with close bilateral ties. This marks the second instance of a French armed forces contingent marching on Kartavya Path. In 2016, French Army soldiers made history as the first foreign military contingent to participate in India's Republic Day, coinciding with the invitation extended to then-President Francois Hollande as the chief guest. The involvement of French Air assets and a marching contingent this year is reminiscent of the Indian Air Force's Rafale jet and a 269-member tri-services contingent's participation at Champs-Élysées last year. This occurred during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role as the guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade in Paris. Watch |India gears up for 75th Republic Day, parade rehearsals at Kartavya Path begin × Macron's presence as the chief guest for India's Republic Day marks the sixth instance of a French leader receiving this honour. In 1976, French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac was the first-ever French leader to be invited to the grand event. Subsequent invitations were extended to French president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing in 1980, Jacques Chirac in 1998, Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008, and François Hollande in 2016. The French president is set for a two-day India visit from January 25 to 26. His journey will commence in Jaipur, Rajasthan, where he will join a roadshow with PM Modi. Accompanied by a high-level delegation, including CEOs, the visit anticipates significant announcements, particularly in the defence space, a key pillar of bilateral ties. Discussions about the Scorpène-class submarine and Rafale M deals are believed to be heading in a positive direction. Also read | Republic Day Parade 2024: Complete guide to buying tickets online and offline | All you need to know This marks President Macron's second state visit to India, with the previous one in 2018. Notably, PM Modi and President Macron have convened four times in the last six months, including meetings at the Delhi G20 summit, the India-visited virtual summit, and discussions on the sidelines of the climate summit in Dubai.

French Rafales, 95-member Foreign Legion contingent to feature at India's Republic Day

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian on Monday arrived in New Delhi for his official visit, said the Ministry of External Affairs.

The French minister will&nbsp;be in India for a four-day visit during which he will&nbsp;be meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and will&nbsp;be expected to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well.

"During his stay in New Delhi, Mr. Le Drian will hold talks with Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar on April 13, 2021, on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. He will also meet the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar at a panel discussion on Climate Change," according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs. He will also participate in the Raisina Dialogue.

The French Minister and Jaishankar will also discuss the main regional and international issues including Myanmar, Iran, and the peace process in Afghanistan.

India and France enjoy a strategic partnership since 1998 which has been marked by regular high-level exchanges and growing cooperation in diverse areas.

"Mr Le Drian`s visit will pave the way for further strengthening of the partnership across trade, defence, climate, migration and mobility, education and health sectors in the post-Covid context," the MEA said. Diplomatic sources told ANI that Indo-Pacific will be the key focus of discussions between the two ministers and Minister Drian is set to announce France joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans initiative launched by PM Modi.

Sources further said that France will push for the EU Indo-Pacific strategy during the talks. India and France will discuss joint initiatives that have come to fruition including the new trilateral with Australia.

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian on Monday arrived in New Delhi for his official visit, said the Ministry of External Affairs. The French minister will be in India for a four-day visit during which he will be meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and will be expected to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well.

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian on Monday arrived in New Delhi for his official visit, said the Ministry of External Affairs. The French minister will be in India for a four-day visit during which he will be meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and will be expected to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well. "During his stay in New Delhi, Mr. Le Drian will hold talks with Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar on April 13, 2021, on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. He will also meet the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar at a panel discussion on Climate Change," according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs. He will also participate in the Raisina Dialogue. The French Minister and Jaishankar will also discuss the main regional and international issues including Myanmar, Iran, and the peace process in Afghanistan. India and France enjoy a strategic partnership since 1998 which has been marked by regular high-level exchanges and growing cooperation in diverse areas. "Mr Le Drian`s visit will pave the way for further strengthening of the partnership across trade, defence, climate, migration and mobility, education and health sectors in the post-Covid context," the MEA said. Diplomatic sources told ANI that Indo-Pacific will be the key focus of discussions between the two ministers and Minister Drian is set to announce France joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans initiative launched by PM Modi. Sources further said that France will push for the EU Indo-Pacific strategy during the talks. India and France will discuss joint initiatives that have come to fruition including the new trilateral with Australia.

French Foreign Minister Le Drian arrives in India

The French envoy to India Emmanuel Lenain, speaking ahead of the arrival of Rafale fighter jets has said it shows "strong partnership between our two countries."&nbsp;

Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal at Delhi's Palam airport where the French military plane landed with COVID-19 medical aid, envoy Lenain said, "India is a world leader in the production of the vaccine" and "it is going to be like this for COVID-19."&nbsp;

France sent 120 ventilators, along with 50,000 serological test kits 50,000 nose and throat swabs to India on Tuesday. The French envoy said it is in "reciprocation" of India's help to France when it was hit by COVID-19.

WION: France has sent "gifts" as ventilators, kits amid COVID-19 to India. If you can give us the details?

Emmanuel Lenain: In France, we have a saying, there is no such thing as love, only proofs of love. That is what is happening between France and India. Your country has helped us tremendously during the peak of COVID-19 in France a few months ago. Indian PM Modi has allowed export of medical goods, drugs for French hospitals.&nbsp;

Today we want to reciprocate and help India steer through the COVID-19 crisis. We have sent an exceptional package of assistance. There are some ventilators, testing kits, best of the best experts who will interact and exchange best practices with Indians counterparts.&nbsp;

We have been discussing with the Indian government for weeks now to find exactly what is needed. Many things that we will be giving will be used to transport medically ill patients. Testing kits, 50, 000 of them. All this has been brought in a military plane which has been refit to transport patients.

WION: How are both India and France collaborating during the coronavirus&nbsp;crisis especially when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine.

Emmanuel Lenain: We have been collaborating since the beginning, at all level. Your PM, my president have&nbsp;been talking extensively, exchanging good practices. What they can do at the national level, launch international and multilateral level basically it goes from response to way out.&nbsp;

The way out obviously will be via a vaccine. We recognise India is a world leader in the production of the vaccine. It has been for years, it is going to be like this for COVID-19. We push for strong collaboration between our institute, between our companies, research to make sure an affordable, efficient vaccine will be provided to our population as quickly as possible, as widely as possible.

WION: Five Rafales will land in India on Wednesday..how do you see the development in terms of defence partnership?

Emmanuel Lenain: We are very proud of it and delighted they are coming. These are outstanding planes. It shows the strong partnership between our two countries. They are coming with Indian pilots and technicians. They have been trained in France and from what I understand they have been doing very good.

WION: And any special way to welcome them in India...

Emmanuel Lenain: You have to ask the Indian authorities but they are planning something outstanding in coming weeks.

WION: Global Geopolitics is changing very fast.. while countries are coming together, we have seen an aggressive China..the Galwan incident..how do you see these developments?

Emmanuel Lenain:&nbsp; The world out of COVID-19 is not going to be a simple world. The world is going to be even more dangerous in many aspects and that is why you need to reinforce partnership and friends in India are doing that and I am very confident when I see the strength of the partnership between our two countries.

The French envoy to India Emmanuel Lenain, speaking ahead of the arrival of Rafale fighter jets has said it shows "strong partnership between our two countries." Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal at Delhi's Palam airport where the French military plane landed with COVID-19 medical aid, envoy Lenain said, "India is a world leader in the production of the vaccine" and "it is going to be like this for COVID-19.

The French envoy to India Emmanuel Lenain, speaking ahead of the arrival of Rafale fighter jets has said it shows "strong partnership between our two countries." Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal at Delhi's Palam airport where the French military plane landed with COVID-19 medical aid, envoy Lenain said, "India is a world leader in the production of the vaccine" and "it is going to be like this for COVID-19." France sent 120 ventilators, along with 50,000 serological test kits 50,000 nose and throat swabs to India on Tuesday. The French envoy said it is in "reciprocation" of India's help to France when it was hit by COVID-19. WION: France has sent "gifts" as ventilators, kits amid COVID-19 to India. If you can give us the details? Emmanuel Lenain: In France, we have a saying, there is no such thing as love, only proofs of love. That is what is happening between France and India. Your country has helped us tremendously during the peak of COVID-19 in France a few months ago. Indian PM Modi has allowed export of medical goods, drugs for French hospitals. Today we want to reciprocate and help India steer through the COVID-19 crisis. We have sent an exceptional package of assistance. There are some ventilators, testing kits, best of the best experts who will interact and exchange best practices with Indians counterparts. We have been discussing with the Indian government for weeks now to find exactly what is needed. Many things that we will be giving will be used to transport medically ill patients. Testing kits, 50, 000 of them. All this has been brought in a military plane which has been refit to transport patients. WION: How are both India and France collaborating during the coronavirus crisis especially when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine. Emmanuel Lenain: We have been collaborating since the beginning, at all level. Your PM, my president have been talking extensively, exchanging good practices. What they can do at the national level, launch international and multilateral level basically it goes from response to way out. The way out obviously will be via a vaccine. We recognise India is a world leader in the production of the vaccine. It has been for years, it is going to be like this for COVID-19. We push for strong collaboration between our institute, between our companies, research to make sure an affordable, efficient vaccine will be provided to our population as quickly as possible, as widely as possible. WION: Five Rafales will land in India on Wednesday..how do you see the development in terms of defence partnership? Emmanuel Lenain: We are very proud of it and delighted they are coming. These are outstanding planes. It shows the strong partnership between our two countries. They are coming with Indian pilots and technicians. They have been trained in France and from what I understand they have been doing very good. WION: And any special way to welcome them in India... Emmanuel Lenain: You have to ask the Indian authorities but they are planning something outstanding in coming weeks. WION: Global Geopolitics is changing very fast.. while countries are coming together, we have seen an aggressive China..the Galwan incident..how do you see these developments? Emmanuel Lenain: The world out of COVID-19 is not going to be a simple world. The world is going to be even more dangerous in many aspects and that is why you need to reinforce partnership and friends in India are doing that and I am very confident when I see the strength of the partnership between our two countries.

Rafale deal show strong partnership between India, France, says French envoy Lenain

India inked a 7.8 billion Euro ($8.7 billion) deal with France today to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets, in what is being viewed as country&#39;s first major acquisition of combat planes in two decades. 
 
France&#39;s defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian inked the agreement with his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;You can only ever be completely sure once (the deal) has been signed and that&#39;s what happened today,&quot; Le Drian was quoted as saying by AFP after the ceremony, referring to almost 18 months of wrangling over financial terms between New Delhi and Dassault Aviation, the jet&#39;s manufacturer. 
 
The deal is likely to give a boost to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s plan to rebuild an ageing fleet of Indian Airforce (IAF).&nbsp; 
 
The IAF is down to 33 squadrons, against its requirement of 45 to face both China and nuclear-armed rival Pakistan, international news agency Reuters observed.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, the deal was also hailed by French President Francois Hollande as recognition of France`s aviation industry.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The agreement... is a mark of the recognition by a major military power of the operational performance, the technical quality and the competitiveness of the French aviation industry,&quot; he said in a statement, according to AFP.&nbsp; 
 
The French jet manufacturer, as per the news agency, had long struggled to find buyers overseas, despite heavy lobbying efforts by the President&#39;s administration. 
 
One of the biggest defence deals in decades, the agreeement comes with a saving of nearly 750 million Euros, following hard negotiations by the Indian side, Indian news agency PTI reported.&nbsp; 
 
Mooted by the former United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2012, the deal was earlier scrapped by the Narendra Modi government, besides a 50 per cent offset clause, PTI reports.&nbsp; 
 
The 50 per cent offset clause means that Indian businesses, both big and small, will gain work to the tune of over three billion Euros.&nbsp; 
 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The deal is likely to give a boost to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plan to rebuild an ageing fleet of Indian Airforce

India inked a 7.8 billion Euro ($8.7 billion) deal with France today to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets, in what is being viewed as country's first major acquisition of combat planes in two decades. France's defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian inked the agreement with his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi. "You can only ever be completely sure once (the deal) has been signed and that's what happened today," Le Drian was quoted as saying by AFP after the ceremony, referring to almost 18 months of wrangling over financial terms between New Delhi and Dassault Aviation, the jet's manufacturer. The deal is likely to give a boost to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plan to rebuild an ageing fleet of Indian Airforce (IAF). The IAF is down to 33 squadrons, against its requirement of 45 to face both China and nuclear-armed rival Pakistan, international news agency Reuters observed. Meanwhile, the deal was also hailed by French President Francois Hollande as recognition of France`s aviation industry. "The agreement... is a mark of the recognition by a major military power of the operational performance, the technical quality and the competitiveness of the French aviation industry," he said in a statement, according to AFP. The French jet manufacturer, as per the news agency, had long struggled to find buyers overseas, despite heavy lobbying efforts by the President's administration. One of the biggest defence deals in decades, the agreeement comes with a saving of nearly 750 million Euros, following hard negotiations by the Indian side, Indian news agency PTI reported. Mooted by the former United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2012, the deal was earlier scrapped by the Narendra Modi government, besides a 50 per cent offset clause, PTI reports. The 50 per cent offset clause means that Indian businesses, both big and small, will gain work to the tune of over three billion Euros. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India, France ink 7.87-billion Euro deal for 36 Rafale fighter jet planes