Paris: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh met with his French counterpart, Sebastien Lecornu, in Paris, emphasizing the enduring significance of the India-France strategic partnership. Both leaders expressed their enthusiasm for elevating this partnership to new heights during their discussions.

The Defense Minister described his meeting with Minister Lecornu as "excellent" and shared his thoughts on the partnership's evolving dynamics. Rajnath Singh's visit to Paris followed his recent trip to Rome, underscoring the global relevance of India's diplomatic engagements.

During his visit, Rajnath Singh had the opportunity to tour a cutting-edge jet engine manufacturing facility belonging to the renowned French company Safran, situated near the French capital. He witnessed the latest advancements in aero-engine technology, shedding light on the collaborative prospects in the Indian defense industry.

Significantly, this visit holds paramount importance as Safran is exploring possibilities for co-developing a fighter aircraft engine in India as part of a large-scale project.

Rajnath Singh also engaged with a consortium of CEOs from top French defense enterprises. During these interactions, he underscored the advantages of co-development and co-production of defense equipment within India, highlighting the potential for export to third-party nations.

The Defense Ministry confirmed that Rajnath Singh's visit included an inspection of the Safran Engine Division's Research and Development Center located in Gennevilliers, near Paris. This visit provided invaluable insights into the advancements in aero-engine technology.

India and France have witnessed a significant upswing in their defense and strategic ties over the past few years. In a noteworthy development in July, both nations unveiled a series of groundbreaking defense cooperation initiatives. These included collaborative efforts in jet and helicopter engine development and the construction of three Scorpene submarines for the Indian Navy.

Furthermore, the two strategic partners expressed their unwavering commitment to joint endeavors in co-developing and co-producing advanced defense technologies, with a view to benefiting not only themselves but also third-party countries. The meeting between Defense Ministers Rajnath Singh and Sebastien Lecornu served as a testament to the enduring strength of the India-France strategic partnership.

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