Following is the Joint Statement issued after the Defence Talks between India and France here today.
“At the invitation of the Minister of Defence of India, the French Minister of Defence Mr Yves Le Drian is on an official visit to India on 25-27 July, 2013.
Shri A.K. Antony and Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian held detailed and useful talks on regional and international security challenges of mutual interest. Additionally they reviewed the status of varied measures for bilateral defence cooperation and the progress in various areas pursuant to their discussions in February, 2013, throughout the State visit of the French President to India.
The Ministers noted that defence cooperation is a vital pillar of the strategic partnership between both countries and that the continuing dialogue and cooperation is mutually beneficial to both nations. The Ministers also noted that the diversity and depth of defence exchanges and interactions between the Ministries of Defence and the Militia of either side is being steadily enhanced in areas of mutual interest and in a spirit of mutual understanding, respect, trust and support, taking account of respective security interests.
The Ministers agreed that exchanges between respective defence institutions and army should stay progressed, including within the areas of military education and coaching and during the conduct of military exercises.
In this respect, the Ministers welcomed the approaching bilateral exercise ‘Shakti’ in September 2013 in France between both Armies. The Ministers noted with satisfaction that the Navies of both countries are practicing finalizing the schedule for the conduct of Exercise ‘Varuna’ off the coast of India and in addition that the following Air Force exercise ‘Garuda’ will be held in the course of the first half 2014.
With regard to training exchanges, the Ministers noted with satisfaction that officers of the Indian and French Militia has been attending courses in each other’s institutions, including on the French War College in Paris and the National Defence College and Defence Services Staff College in India. It was agreed that such exchanges were beneficial to the building of relations between the Militia of each side and may continue.
The Ministers had detailed discussions regarding current and future co-operation inside the areas of defence equipment and technology collaboration. They agreed that such cooperation should remain progressed to the mutual advantage of both countries, including in high technology areas involving joint research and development and transfer of technology.
The Ministers tasked the High Committee on Defence Cooperation (HCDC), that is scheduled to satisfy in France in October 2013, to follow up the above points and to finalize practical measures to expand and deepen the bilateral partnership in defence.
The French Defence Minister also conveyed that at the 100th anniversary of global War I, France is planning various projects to pay tribute to Indian soldiers who were killed in France in the course of the War. The Indian side appreciated an analogous.
The Ministers also exchanged views on issues on the subject of UN peace keeping operations and maritime security. The French Defence Minister also presented France’s new White Paper on Defence and National Security”.
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