Paris [France], February 23 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday called on French President Emmanuel Macron and said the discussions reflected the full spirit of bilateral strategic partnership.

Paris [France], February 22 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen and said that 2021 was a great year for the India-Bangladesh relationship.

Paris [France], February 10 (ANI): French Defense Minister Florence Parly on Thursday said Indonesia has agreed with France on the purchase of 42 Rafale fighter jets.

New Delhi [India], January 18 (ANI): French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain on Tuesday reaffirmed commitment to trade relations in the Indo-Pacific ahead of next month's Indo-Pacific forum scheduled in Paris next month.

New Delhi Dec 17 PTI France is ready to provide additional Rafale fighter jets to India if it requires French Defence Minister Florence Parly said on Friday while noting that the use of the same aircraft by the two strategic partners is a reflection of real asset and strength in their tiesParly on a visit to India also said that France is fully committed to supporting the Make in India initiative and further integrating the Indian manufacturers into its global supply chainsThe French defence minister made the comments at an interactive session organised by Ananta Centre on India-France cooperationI am very happy that the Indian Air Force is satisfied with its Rafale and we are very proud that despite COVID the 36 aircraft will be delivered on time according to the contract it is a real achievement she said in response to a questionUsing the same aircraft is a real asset and strength I am sure that there is room for new developments We are ready to answer any additional needs of request that could be made by India she saidThe French embassy on Thursday said a total of 33 Rafale jets have already been delivered to India as per schedule despite the COVID-19 pandemicIndia had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 59000 croreThe first batch of five Rafale jets manufactured by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation arrived in India on July 29 last yearThe French minister also referred to Indias planned induction of a second aircraft carrier and indicated that France will be interested to supply the carrier-based jetsWe know that the aircraft carrier will soon be therethat aircraft are needed We are open and ready to provide any other Rafale if this is Indias decision she saidIndias first indigenous aircraft carrier IAC Vikrant is scheduled to be inducted into the Indian Navy by August next yearIn her comments Parly said France and India are both viscerally committed to national sovereignty and independenceI think that our industrial partnership is proof of that France more than any other country understands the necessity of the Indian content And we are fully committed to the Make in India initiative as well as to the further integration of Indian manufacturers into our global supply chains she saidParly said Make in India has been a reality for the French industry for several years particularly for defence equipment such as submarinesLater the French defence minister held wide-ranging talks with her Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh with a focus on further enhancing bilateral defence and security cooperation between the two countriesThe defence and strategic ties between India and France have been on an upswing over the last few yearsIt is learnt that France was pitching for starting negotiations for procurement of another batch of 36 Rafale jets by IndiaThe Rafale jets are Indias first major acquisition of fighter planes in 23 years after the Sukhoi jets were imported from RussiaThe Rafale jets are capable of carrying a range of potent weapons European missile maker MBDAs Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise missile will be the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jetsMeteor is a next-generation beyond visual range air-to-air missile BVRAAM designed to revolutionise air-to-air combat PTI MPB PYK PYK

New Delhi [India], December 17 (ANI): Citing close strategic ties between India and France, French Defence Minister Florence Parly on Friday said her country was ready to provide more Rafale combat aircraft if India wants them.

New Delhi [India], December 17 (ANI): Assuring full commitment to the Make-in-India initiative, French Defence Minister Florence Parly on Friday said that Paris is open and ready to provide additional Rafale aircraft upon India's request.

New Delhi [India], December 17 (ANI): French Defence Minister Florence Parly is set to begin her visit to India on Friday with an aim to strengthen Indo-French strategic and defence ties.

Abu Dhabi [UAE], November 15 (ANI/WAM): Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, today received Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces of the French Republic, at Al Shati Palace.

Paris [France], November 6 (ANI): National Security Advisor Ajit Kumar Doval and French Defence Minister Florence Parly on Saturday discussed ways to expand bilateral and regional cooperation.