India, France ink key pacts on nuclear energy, bullet trains; IAF to get 36 Rafale jets in fly-away condition

A writer of the Chinese English daily Global Times who predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Europe trip will be a failure would be looking for a place to hide on the very first leg of Modi’s three-nation tour as India and France covered lot of ground in this visit.

The two sides forged closer understanding on the issue of terrorism and further strengthened their already vibrant defence ties in fields like aircraft, submarines and missiles.

The most remarkable concrete deliverable was PM Modi’s decision to buy 36 Rafale fighter aircraft, or two squadrons, off-the-shelf to augment Indian Air Force’s depleting fighter squadrons.

Other highlights are as follows:

Both India and France have agree upon dismantling of terrorist infrastructure, denying safe havens to terrorists, bringing perpetrators and conspirators of terrorist attacks to justice.

France would also help India build high speed rail between Chandigarh and Delhi with two stations in between the two cities, including Ambala.

At least 20 agreements, MoUs and initiatives were signed after PM Modi’s talks with French President Francois Hollande in Paris on Friday.

Defence and Nuclear Energy

1. MoU between L&T and AREVA It is aimed at cost reduction by increasing localization, to improve the financial viability of Jaitapur project. It will also enable transfer of technology and development of indigenous nuclear energy industry in India.

2. Pre-engineering agreements between NPCIL and Areva The PEA studies intend to bring clarity on all technical aspects of the plant so that all parties (AREVA, Alstom and NPCIL) can firm up their price and optimize all provisions for risks still included at this stage in the costs of the project.

Space

3. MoU between ISRO and CNES on Megha Tropiques

The Indo-French Megha Tropiques satellite was launched on board the Indian launch vehicle, PSLV on 12 October 2011. The MoU shall extend by two more years, the joint project for sharing and use of data from the satellite.

4. ‘MOU between ISRO, CNES and ONERA for Ka-band propagation experiment over Indian tropical region’

The MoU envisages cooperation for implementation of the project concerning Ka- band propagation experiment over Indian tropical region. The main objective is to collect Ka-Band attenuation data using available Ka-Band transmission and perform analysis along with corresponding radio meter and meteorological data.

5.Programme between ISRO and French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES)

The agreement proposes cooperation in the areas of Satellite Remote sensing, satellite communications and satellite meteorology; space sciences and planetary exploration; data collection and location; operations of satellite ground stations and spacecraft mission management; space research and applications.

It covers the potential cooperation activities such as joint earth observation mission, hosted payload opportunities and Mars exploration.

Sports

6. MoU on Cooperation between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of India and French Ministry of Sports, Youth Affairs, Public Education and Community Life

The MoU envisages cooperation and exchange of experiences in the fields of sports medicine, institutional cooperation, development of practice of sports in the context of proximity sports, support of participation of women and the disabled in sports, management and coordination of sports federations, training of executives and establishment of National Institute of Sports in India based on French model of INSEP.

Economic Relations

7.  Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of renewable energy between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India and the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, Government of France

The understanding reached in this MoU will help establish the basis for cooperation and relationship to encourage and promote technical bilateral cooperation on new and renewable energy issues on the basis of mutual benefits and reciprocity through exchange and training of technical personnel, exchange of information and data, joint research and transfer of know-how and technology. It would cover solar, wind, bio-energy, tidal and wave energy sectors.

Railways

8. Railway protocol between Indian Ministry of Railways and French National Railways (SNCF)

The Protocol seeks to establish cooperation between Indian and French Railways for semi-high speed rail and station renovation.

Energy

9. Guarantee Agreement with AFD Financing of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) The Agreement seeks to finance Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)

CULTURE, HERITAGE CONSERVATION, TOURISM, PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE CONTACTS

10. Administrative Arrangement in the field of Cultural Heritage

The Administrative Arrangement between the Indian Ministry of Culture and French Ministry of Culture and Communication, envisages cooperation in the field of cultural heritage, through training of Indian heritage conservation professionals at the Institute National du Patrimoine (INP), a higher education establishment of training for curators and restorers in the field of heritage in France, as well as Development of cultural and scientific cooperation in the fields of conservation and restoration of the heritage, short duration training sessions in India by INP trainers in Indian institutes and training of French training in India etc.

11. Letter of Intent on Tourism

LoI for increasing cooperation in tourism sector signed between India and France aims to promote sustainable bilateral tourism between the two countries including through mutual promotion of tourism, ensuring safety of tourists and encouraging sharing of expertise and best practices. The LoI also seeks to facilitate twinning of sites having historical, natural and cultural significance in India and France for promoting them as tourist destinations.

12. Letter of Intent (LoI) between the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP)

The LoI envisages collaboration on preventive archaeology projects, initiatives to disseminate culture and promote archaeology, training programmes for specialists of ASI and deployment of expertise, in particular, in the field of underwater archaeology.

13. MOU between School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi and National Architecture Institute in Paris, France

The MoU envisages cooperation to undertake joint planning and geographical studies in India and France and training of local counterparts in modern urban and regional research as well as in techniques of scientific methods in Urban and regional planning, geography, environment, Building engineering and management.

14. MoU between Indian Heritage Cities Network Foundation (IHCN) and Association Nationale des Villes et Pays d’Art et d’Histoire et villes a secteurs sauvegardés et protégés (‘ANVPAH’)

This MoU envisages cooperation between to cooperate in the fields of sustainable development, urban planning, heritage conservation and up-gradation of basic services.

15. Proposal for twinning of historical monuments

Twinning of historical monuments is covered under the LoI on Tourism Cooperation.

16. VIE scheme to allow Indian students in France and French students in India to stay for a period of 24 months.

The Volontariat International en Entreprise (VIE) scheme offers Indian Visa for 12 months renewable once for a period of 12 months for 250 French students and a ‘second residence permit’ of 12 months for the Indian students in France following the 12 months already granted.

17. Letter of Intent on Ayurveda between Ministry of Ayush and University of Strasbourg

LoI allows both the parties to strengthen their relationships and cooperation in the area of Ayurveda education and research by undertaking academic and research activities, exploring feasibility of collaborative research, and drawing up strategies for dissemination of results of completed studies,

Conducting joint workshops/conferences on Ayurveda as complimentary medicine in France Skill Development

18 MoU between National Skill Development Agency (NSDA), India and the National Commission for Vocational Qualifications (Commission Nationale de la Certification Professionnelle – CNCD)

For exchange of information regarding the maintenance of National Skills Qualification Framework and the French National Register for Vocational Certifications (RNCP). The agreement will facilitate exchange of information and knowledge about maintenance of qualification registers through information exchanges, visits and other suitable meetings.

19 Science and Technology

MoU on cooperation in the field of Science & Technology between Department of Science & Technology of India and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)

The MoU is for cooperation between the two countries in the areas of applied mathematics, physics, Information & communication technology, water resources and environment, life sciences, astronomy, climate and energy by exchange of information, organization of meetings/workshops/seminars, exchange of research personnel; joint projects; establishment of Virtual Joint Laboratories, and establishment of Joint Research Centres.

20 MoU between Department of Biotechnology of India and CNRS and UPMC on Collaboration for establishment of a National Institute of Marine Biology and Biotechnology in India

The proposed MoU seeks to establish a National Institute of Marine Biology and Biotechnology in India, with a Hub and Spoke network of laboratories spanning India’s marine regions from the Andaman to Lakshadweep.