India, France set to co-develop jet engine

Source: The post is based on the article “India, France set to co-develop jet engine” published in The Hindu on 15th July 2023.

What is the News?

The Indian Prime Minister has paid an Official Visit to France. He was the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade.

What are the key highlights from the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to France?

The Indian PM was conferred with the highest honour of France, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, by the French President.

Joint Statement: India and France have issued a joint statement – “25th Anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between France and India: towards a Century of Indo-French Relations”. This sets the course for the France-India bilateral relationship in all areas till 2047.

– Year 2047 will mark: 100 years of India’s Independence, 100 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries, and 50th year of the Indo-French strategic partnership.

– The roadmap for bilateral relations has three pillars: partnership for security and sovereignty; partnership for the planet; partnership for the people.

Defence: The two countries signed agreements on: 1) acquisition of 26 Rafale-M (the marine version) fighters for the Indian Navy 2) co-production of three more Scorpene class submarines at the public sector Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd and 3)  joint development of a combat aircraft engine.

Indo-Pacific Roadmap: India and France have released India-France Indo-Pacific Roadmap.

– Under this roadmap, the two sides decided to work on finalizing an Indo-French development fund for third countries. This will enable joint financing of sustainable development projects in the Indo-Pacific region.

– India and France will also work to set up the Indo-French Health Campus for the Indo-Pacific, with the aim of making it a regional magnet for research and academia.

– In 2018, India and France agreed on a ‘Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.

Single-use plastic: India and France made a joint commitment to eliminate single-use plastic products pollution, including a ban on single-use plastic products which have low utility and high littering potential.

– The two countries have decided to constructively engage other like-minded countries to strengthen the negotiations for an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution.