INDO-FRENCH DEAL WITH EYE ON CHINA
India, France ink 14 pacts; major boost to defence, nuclear energy cooperation
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday said defence ties with India had reached a new high after the two nations signed a key security accord for the Indian Ocean to counter China's growing influence in the region.
"Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance," Macron said as a gushing Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood by his side.
Under the deal, India and France will open their naval bases to warships from each other, a move seen as an attempt to undermine China's territorial ambitions.
"A strong part of our security and the world's stability is at stake in the Indian Ocean," Macron said."The Indian Ocean, like the Pacific Ocean, cannot become a place of hegemony," he added in an apparent reference to China.
PM Modi, who welcomed Macron with a bear hug on his arrival on Friday said the accord was crucial as the Indian Ocean region would play a "very significant role" in the days to come.The comments from the leaders followed a slew of agreements signed by the two countries in the spheres of defence, space and clean energy.
"From the ground to the sky, there is no subject on which India and France are not working together," said PM Modi.
A technical agreement was also signed on the French-assisted nuclear power project at Jaitapur in Maharashtra.
On Sunday, Macron will attend a solar power summit designed to showcase India and France's commitment to fighting climate change, which both leaders have made a priority.
Also, no-frills airline SpiceJet on Saturday inked a USD 12.5 billion deal with French major Safran Group for CFM aircraft engines. At the current exchange rate, the deal is worth over Rs 81,000 crore and is one of the biggest in the aviation sector. SpiceJet and Safran Group, have now finalised the purchase of LEAP-1B engines to power a total of 155 Boeing 737 MAX planes, along with spare engines to support the fleet, according to a release. Currently, SpiceJet operates a fleet of more than 38 CFM 56-7B-powered Boeing 737 NG family aircraft.