French President’s visit to India

State Visit of President Francois Hollande of the French Republic to India

Question: From 24-26 January 2016, French President Francois Hollande was on the state visit to India. During his visit the Indo-French trade summit was held at-

(a) New Delhi
(b) Ahmedabad
(c) Chandigarh
(d) Jaipur

Ans (c)

Related facts:

  • At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chief guest of the 67th Republic Day celebrations of 2016 French President Francois Hollande was on the state visit to India from 24-26 January 2016.
  • Earlier he was on the State visit to India from 14-15 February, 2013.
  • There are close and multifaceted relations between India and France.
  • France is the first country with which India has entered into an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation.
  • This is President Hollande’s second State Visit to India and the fifth time that a French Head of State or Government has been invited as the Chief Guest on India’s Republic Day celebrations making France the country that has been extended this honour the highest number of times so far.
  • India had honored France in its 67th Republic Day Parade through the participation of a French military contingent, making France the first country to receive such an honour.
  • On January 24, 2016 the French president Hollande begins his trip from the city of Chandigarh.
  • There he visited the famous Rock Garden of Chandigarh and the Government Museum and Art Gallery with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
  • Subsequently, the two leaders addressed India-France Business Summit held in Taj hotel of Chandigarh.
  • French President Francois Hollande met Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at a special luncheon in New Delhi on 26 January 2016. Their conversation ranged from movies to her experiences at Cannes.
  • During the Indo-French business summit following the 16 MoUs and agreements were signed between the two countries:
  1. MoU between AFD and the Government of Maharashtra on technical cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development for development of smart city in Nagpur.
  2. MoU between AFD and The Government of the Union Territory of Chandigarh on technical cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development for development of smart city in Chandigarh.
  3. MoU between AFD and The Government of the Union Territory of Puducherry on technical cooperation in the field of sustainable development for development of smart city in Puducherry.
  4. Wind Power Development Agreement between EDF JV with SITAC RE India to jointly explore opportunities for development of wind based power project in India.
  5. MOU between EPI ltd – Dassault Systèmes in urban sector development.
  6. MOU between EPI-Egis – urban sector development.
  7. MOU between EPI- Schneider Electric – urban sector development.
  8. MOU between EPI-Thales – urban sector development.
  9. MOU between EPI-EDF – urban sector development.
  10. MOU between EPI-Alstom – urban sector development.
  11. MOU between EPI-SA CAN – urban sector development.
  12. MOU between EPI-Lumiplan ITS India Pvt Ltd – urban sector development.
  13. MOU between EPI-POMA – urban sector development.
  14. Agreement between CEA (the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission) and Green Ventures – Solar photo voltaic projects in the Indian rural areas (Varanasi, U.P.).
  15. Agreement between CEA (the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission) and Crompton Greaves – To explore opportunities in Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) System with storage function for Indian Airports.
  16. Mahindra-Airbus cooperation to create the new private strategic partner for helicopters within the Make in India initiative.
  • On January 25, 2016 bilateral talks held between the Indian prime minister and the French president at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Francois Hollande strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attacks that have struck many parts of the world recently and expressed their shared anguish and outrage at the loss of innocent lives and after extensive consultations a 10 point joint statement was issued.
  • After talks 14 agreements / MoUs were signed in the presence of the two leaders for cooperation in many important areas –
  1. MoU between India and France on purchase of 36 Rafale Aircrafts
  • Rafale Aircraft is fighter plane which is fitted with two Snecma M88 engines built by the French company Dassault.
  • The Rafale aircraft deal with France for the first time was signed in 2012 during the tenure of UPA.
  • Then the new government cancelled the deal of the 126 aircraft amid of the scandal in the auction process.
  • Rafael can touch the height up to 60 thousand feet in 1 minute.It is able to fly about 2000 km / h.
  • France will give 36 planes to India after the deal and also will also provide their technical help for their maintenance.
  • This will also provide boost to “Make in India” process.
  1. ISRO and CNES Implementation Arrangement on hosting Argos-4 Payload on-board India’s Oceansat-3 satellite.
  2. ISRO and CNES Implementation Arrangement on a future joint Thermal Infrared earth observation mission.
  3. Letter of Intent on CNES, France participation in ISRO’s next Mars Mission.
  4. Shareholding Agreement on JV between Alstom and Indian Railways for production of 800 electric locomotives in Madhepura Bihar.
  5. Agreement between Indian Railways and SNCF, French Railways for joint feasibility study for the renovation of Ludhiana and Ambala railway stations.
  6. MOU between Food Safety & Standards Authority of India and ANSES in food safety.
  7. Partnership Agreement between Ministry of Personnel & Public Grievances and French on Cooperation in Public Administration.
  8. Declaration of Intent for conducting next round of Namaste France (Indian festival) in 2016 and Bonjour India (French festival) 2017.
  9. Cultural Exchange Programme for the period 2016-2018.
  10. Arrangement for establishment of an Indo- French Ministerial level Joint Committee on Science & Technology.
  11. MoU for Industry Sponsored Ph.D Fellowship between IIT Mumbai and Thales Systemes Aeroportes.
  12. Cooperation Agreement between IISER, Pune and ENS de Lyon (France) for joint research, teaching, exchange of personnel etc.
  13. Agreement of Cooperation between CNRS, TB, UBO, UBS, ENSTA Bretagne, ENIB (French Universities) and IIT Mumbai in the field of Higher Education & Research.

Reference:

http://www.mea.gov.in/incoming-visit-detail.htm?26293/List+of+MoUAgreements+exchanged+at+the+IndiaFrance+Business+Summit+in+Chandigarh++January+24+2016

http://www.mea.gov.in/incoming-visit-detail.htm?26294/List+of+AgreementsMOUs+signed+during+the+State+Visit+of+President+Francois+Hollande+of+the+French+Republic+to+India+January+25+2016

http://www.mea.gov.in/incoming-visit-detail.htm?26295/IndiaFrance+Joint+Statement+on+Counter+Terrorism+on+the+occasion+of+the+State+Visit+of+President+Francois+Hollande+of+the+French+Republic+to+India+January+25+2016

http://www.mea.gov.in/incoming-visit-detail.htm?26297/IndiaFrance+Joint+Statement+on+the+occasion+of+the+State+Visit+of+President+Francois+Hollande+of+the+French+Republic+to+India+January+25+2016

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=135795

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dassault_Rafale#Engines

http://www.dassault-aviation.com/en/defense/rafale/specifications-and-performance-data/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/aishwarya-rai-lunches-with-french-president/article8155124.ece