Joint Statement issued by India and France during the State Visit of President of France to India

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Joint Statement issued by India and France during the State Visit of President of France to India

February 14, 2013

At the invitation of Prime Minister of India, the President of the French Republic paid a state visit to India on 14-15 February 2013. Dr. Manmohan Singh and Mr. Francois Hollande had detailed and useful discussions on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Reaffirming that, fifteen years after the launch of the Franco-Indian strategic partnership in 1998, the bilateral relationship has been steadily strengthening, widening in scope and has reached exemplary level, the Leaders agreed on a robust framework for its future development.
France and India have similar vision based on common shared values, relating to democracy, rule of law, civil liberties, fundamental freedoms and respect for human rights.
Reaffirming their independence and strategic autonomy, France and India confirmed their commitment towards a strengthened multilateralism. They seek a world at peace, in accordance with the UN Charter.
With the support of both Indian and French people, France and India will take their relationship to even higher heights across the board, in a long term perspective.
As global strategic partners, India and France consult each other on all international matters in a spirit of mutual understanding, respect, trust, and support, taking account of respective security interests.
France and India reaffirm the need to reform the United Nations, and, in particular, the UN Security Council so as to make it more representative. France expresses anew its support to India acceding to a permanent seat in an enlarged UNSC at the earliest. France also reiterates its support to India joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group and other export controls bodies.
On the 100th anniversary of the First World War in 2014, France will pay tribute to the Indian armed forces, in remembrance of their soldiers who fought and died for France’s freedom.
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The Leaders agreed to give further impetus to the Strategic Partnership;
In the field of defence, the Leaders reaffirmed their continued interest to enhance bilateral cooperation which is an important pillar of their strategic partnership and reflects their common determination to work for global peace and security.
The Leaders welcomed the ongoing exercises between their Armies (Shakti), Navies (Varuna) and Air Forces (Garuda) and confirmed their willingness to further bilateral defence cooperation, by continuing to conduct such interactions.
The Leaders reiterated their desire to cooperate in high technology programmes and projects in the defence sector which would include joint research and development and transfer of technology. In this connection, the Leaders noted that the projects for the Scorpene submarine and upgrade of the Mirage 2000 are moving forward and steps are being taken for early finalization of the SRSAM Project. Both sides noted the progress of ongoing negotiations on the MMRCA programme and look forward to their conclusion. The Leaders reaffirmed their interest in continuing their cooperation in combating piracy in the Gulf of Aden and other areas.
In space, the Leaders agreed to move forward, after the success of Megha-Tropiques satellite launch in October 2011 and the upcoming SARAL satellite launch. Both satellites contribute significantly to environmental and maritime survey purposes.
As next step, the Leaders acknowledged the ambitious follow-on space cooperation proposals drawn by the space agencies as an outcome of successful Science Seminar and Research and Technology Workshop held at Bangalore during February 5-6 2013.
In the field of energy, the Leaders expressed satisfaction in regard to ongoing collaborative projects in R&D on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and agreed to further strengthen bilateral civil nuclear scientific cooperation. Recalling the Memorandum of Understanding signed on 4 February 2009 between NPCIL and AREVA for setting up of 6 x 1650 MWe EPR units at Jaitapur, the Leaders reviewed the status in regard to the first two EPR units and noted that NPCIL and AREVA were engaged actively in techno-commercial discussions. They expressed hope for the expeditious conclusion of the negotiations. It was emphasized that the Nuclear Power Plant at Jaitapur would incorporate the highest safety standards.
On climate change, the Leaders agreed to remain engaged under the Durban Platform for favour an ambitious, development-oriented, inclusive response, in preparation for equitable and comprehensive outcome under the UNFCCC at COP21.
In the security and counter terrorism fields, close consultations and cooperation have been established. No compromise is possible with terrorists. India and France are determined to support each other when facing this scourge. Cross border terrorism needs to be addressed at the multilateral level by supporting initiatives in the framework of the UN such as the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
In this context, the two sides recognized that terrorism poses the main threat to Afghanistan’s security and stability, as well as the need for joint concerted efforts and cooperation by countries of the region to effectively counter it, including dismantling terrorist sanctuaries and safe havens, beyond Afghanistan’s border, disrupting financial and tactical support being provided to terrorist groups. The Leaders expressed commitment to the key principles for a peaceful interafghan dialogue : acceptance of the Afghan Constitution, renunciation to violence and breaking links with terrorism. They expressed support for free, fair and transparent elections in 2014 and 2015. Both sides agreed that Pakistan must abide by its commitment to expeditiously bring all the perpetrators of Mumbai terror attacks to justice. Both Leaders also reiterated their strong support for ongoing efforts aimed at defeating terrorism in Mali, preserving Mali’s territorial integrity, re-establishing a fully sovereign democratic government in Mali, and to contributing strongly to Mali’s national reconstruction and sustainable economic development.
Both sides shall act with utmost dedication in the fight against the illicit traffic of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances through a specific bilateral agreement. We shall also expand our dialogue to high-tech criminality and cyber-threats.
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The Leaders agreed to encourage closer people –to-people contact, through inter alia, easing mobility and human exchanges and promoting education, science and cultural cooperation as well as expanding trade and investment.
To this end, both sides have decided:

to promote an ambitious and balanced Free Trade Agreement between India and the EU based on reciprocity and mutual benefit which will boost our bilateral economic relationship;
to establish an annual bilateral dialogue between the two Finance Ministries on economic and financial issues;
to foster comprehensive sustainable urban development cooperation, including infrastructure, transport, water, waste management as well as urban planning;
to give an impetus to the cooperation on railways between Indian and French railways; a Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Railways and SNCF (French National Railways) has been agreed in this regard;
to facilitate and support investments from French companies into India and Indian companies into France which contribute to growth and employment in both countries;
to foster people mobility between the two countries. To that end, both sides noted the progress in the negotiations of a bilateral agreement on people mobility and migration, with a view to conclude them as soon as possible;
to build up an ambitious education plan, including twining of higher education institutions, mutual recognition of degrees, research collaborations and training of teachers. A Letter of Intent and several agreements between Indian and French Universities and Institutions have been signed in this regard. We encourage greater student exchanges between both countries;
to bolster research, technology and innovation between our research institutions, universities and business. To that end, we decided to launch the "Raman-Charpak Fellowship” which will enable exchange of doctoral students between the two countries and, in order to broaden the scope and depth of future engagements in science, technology and innovation, we have concluded several memorandum of understanding and letter of intent between Institutions. Both sides noted with satisfaction the silver jubilee celebrations of the bi-national Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research. It was also noted with satisfaction that France will be the partner country for the 2013 Global Technology Summit to be held in New Delhi;
to encourage even deeper cultural links through i.e. the "Bonjour India” festival of France and the "Namaste France” festival of India at a future date and a new cultural exchanges program as well as museum and heritage cooperation. India will be the Guest Country at the "Festival de Cannes" in 2013 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Indian Cinema. The "Musée du Louvre” will organise an exhibition in India around 2016.

New Delhi
14 February 2013

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Ministry of External Affairs

Joint Statement issued by India and France during the State Visit of President of France to India