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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh holds â€œcomprehensive discussionâ€ with French President Macron

India Blooms News Service | @indiablooms | Oct 08, 2019, at 05:03 pm

#Rajnath #Macron #Rafale #ShastraPuja

Paris:Union defence minister Rajnath Singh met French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris and had "comprehensive discussion" before reaching Merignac airbase in French port town Bordeaux for the official handover of Rafale fighter jets.

The Defence Minister wrote on his Twitter account“Had an excellent meeting with the President of France Mr. EmmanuelMacron at Elysee Palace in Paris today.

We had a comprehensive discussion covering a wide range of issues.”

Had an excellent meeting with the President of France Mr. @EmmanuelMacron at Elysee Palace in Paris today.

We had a comprehensive discussion covering a wide range of issues. pic.twitter.com/WFInexU8sm
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 8, 2019

The Defence Minister will perform Shastra Pooja, after receiving the first of the 36 fighter jets acquired by Indian Air Force, on the occasion of Dussehra in Bordeaux and then take a sortie in the two-seater trainee version of the aircraft, Defence Ministry officials said.

After his arrival in Paris, Singh had tweeted: "Delighted to be in France. This great nation is India's important strategic partner and our special relationship goes far beyond the realm of formal ties. My visit to France is aimed at expanding the existing strategic partnership between both the countries.”

Bonjour Paris!

Delighted to be in France. This great nation is India’s important strategic partner and our special relationship goes far beyond the realm of formal ties.

My visit to France is aimed at expanding the existing strategic partnership between both the countries.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 7, 2019

French Minister of Armed Forces Florence Parly will also attend the induction ceremony of Rafale jets in IAF, however, the first batch of four aircrafts will be delivered not before May 2020 after the training of pilots and personnel is completed.

The remaining fighter jets will arrive only by Sep 2022, for which the IAF is undergoing preparations.

In 2016, India closed a deal worth Rs 59,000 crore with Dassault Aviation for 36 fighter jets, which are expected to increase India’s air combat capabilities and give an edge over Pakistan and China.

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