New Delhi
25 January 2008
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said that India and
France have decided to consolidate their defence and security ties. Both countries
accordingly agreed to negotiate a Status of Forces Agreement and intensify counter-
terrorism cooperation.
"In the area of defence cooperation, we have agreed to go beyond a buyer-seller
relationship. We will increasingly focus on joint research and development projects,
transfer of technology, and greater military exchanges," he said at a joint news
conference with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at Hyderabad House here.
The joint statement amplified what the Prime Minister said. "Both countries will
consolidate their relationship in the field of defence by increasing the range, level and
frequency of their military joint-operations and cooperation," it said.
"Both Sides decided to initiate detailed discussion on Status of Forces Agreement," the
joint statement added.
A Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) is an agreement between a country and a foreign
nation stationing military forces in that country. It is intended to clarify the terms under
which the foreign military is allowed to operate.
Incidentally, the United States is keen on a similar Status of Forces Agreement with India
so that the US troops get immunity from violations of Indian laws. The US is also
pushing for signing an Access and Cross Servicing Agreement with India.
"We have agreed to consolidate our multi-faceted cooperation in the areas of trade and
investment, technology transfer, space, defence, civil nuclear energy, culture and
education. The initiatives that we have taken reflect our mutual strengths and the
growing potential of our countries to contribute to each others development and national
priorities," the Prime Minister added.
India and France also decided to give a new impetus to their strategic partnership by
strengthening their cooperation against international terrorism. They will increase
"operational contacts" and hold regular foreign office consultations.
Both countries also adopted a joint declaration on the fight against global warming. It
was announced that a Franco-Indian working group on the environment will be created for
dealing with clean technology transfers and their financing.
Five agreements and/or memorandum of understanding were signed on the occasion of
the talks between Prime Minister Singh and President Sarkozy. Defence Minister AK
Antony and his French counterpart Herve Morin signed the agreement on mutual
protection of classified information in the field of defence.
Union Minister of Home Affairs Shivraj Patil signed the agreement on transfer of
sentenced prisoners with French Justice Minister Ms Rachida Dati. Atomic Energy
Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar signed the agreement for construction and
operation of Jules Horowitz reactor with his French counterpart from the Commissariat a
L’ Energie Atomique (CEA).
The Jules Horowitz research reactor will be built at Cadarache in France. The joint
statement said that a separate memorandum of understanding (MoU) that establishes
cooperation between the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and the Tata Institute of
Fundamental Research on the one hand, and a French agency, on the other hand, will be
signed in Mumbai.
Another agreement on India-French Development Cooperation and an MoU on an
international associated laboratory in the field of neuroscience also was signed on the
occasion.
India will set up an Indian Cultural Centre in Paris. Both countries also agreed to
reciprocal opening of consulates. France will establish two new consulates in India, at
Kolkata and Bangalore, this year.
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