Terror main agenda of visit: Francois Hollande

Indian and French companies on Saturday signed 16 agreements as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting French President Francois Hollande vowed to fight terror jointly.

Speaking at the India-France Business Summit, where 25 corporate honchos from both the countries were present, President, Hollande said one of the main agendas of his visit was to foster ties between Paris and New Delhi to tackle terrorism as both were affected by the menace.

Mr Hollande said India and France have had over the years, beyond the strategic partnership, the willingness to work in the same direction.

“I will talk about two: first, security, because we are affected by regional crisis and also terrorism. Both countries have been hit. So together, we will increase our exchanges, cooperation between services and act to reinforce our military equipment. It is part of the agenda for this trip,” he said. “Following the success of the 2015 Paris climate conference in December, we are going to translate our common drive to implement as fast as possible the Paris agreement in launching here the solar alliance.”

“It is an epic adventure, where our companies, which are numerous here, will be welcomed in India first in line. Besides, numerous job opportunities are also in line during this trip on top of the diplomatic, political and military agenda,” Mr Hollande added. The French president said the trip to India was special to him because he has been invited to celebrate the R-Day with French troops joining the military parade.

“It is the best symbol to illustrate the relations between France and India,” he added.

Later addressing the submit, PM Modi said India was the fastest growing economy in the world. “We have the labour and the market for your (French) products,” he said.

“We want to venture into defence manufacturing and France and India can do a lot together.”