France is in talks with India on the civil nuclear law's implications to take them into consideration during ongoing negotiations to finalise their contract, French Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem said here.
The minister, who is also Spokesperson for the government, said all the French companies operating in India respect the law of the country, stressing that France wishes to find a "lasting" technical solution for crucial challenge of energy security for this country.
"We hold a dialogue with Indian authorities on the implications of this law, to take them into consideration in the negotiations of the contract," Vallaud-Belkacem, who was here on a four-day official visit from October 25, told PTI in an interview.
She also said, "We wish to find a lasting technical solution for a crucial challenge for India, i.E. Ensuring energy security and fighting climate change."
Civil nuclear cooperation has been one of the pillars of Indo-French strategic cooperation and under a bilateral pact French nuclear giant Areva is set to supply six 'European pressure reactors' for the Jaitapur plant and the supply of nuclear fuel for 25 years.
However, India's domestic liability law giving accident victims the right to seek damages from plant suppliers in the event of a mishap has been a matter of concern for the foreign suppliers, including France and the US.
Asked about the multi-billion USD Rafale fighter deal, she said, "Discussions were ongoing. I strongly believe that our Indian partners will be satisfied with the Rafale, which is the best fighter aircraft in the world."
"You know, there is a female Rafale pilot in France, and, one day, there will be one in India too?," she added.
Minister for Women's Rights Vallaud-Belkacem visited several NGOs in Delhi that fight against prostitution and marginalisation of children and interacted with women and adolescents.
She was also given a tour of the Delhi Police Control Room and the Women's Help Line centre and a presentation on the measures taken to respond to acts of violence against women and exchange of good practices.
