India and France today discussed their ongoing military cooperation including the progress over Rs 50,000-crore 126 multirole combat aircraft deal during the Defence Minister-level talks here.
In a joint statement issued after the deliberations between Defence Minister A K Antony and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, the two sides said they have agreed to further strengthen their defence ties as they were mutually beneficial.
"The Ministers had detailed discussions regarding current and future cooperation in the areas of defence equipment and technology collaboration.
"They agreed that such cooperation should continue to be progressed to the mutual benefit of both countries, including in high technology areas involving joint research and development and transfer of technology," it said.
India and France are holding negotiations to finalise the over Rs 50,000-crore deal for procuring 126 Rafale combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
India has been moving ahead on the negotiations very cautiously amid complaints in the past over the process of selection of Rafale as the lowest bidder. The chances of the deal being signed before the end of this fiscal are bleak.
The two sides are also holding negotiations for a Rs 30,000-crore project for co-developing the Maitri surface-to-air missile defence system.
In recent times, India has awarded several big-ticket contracts to the French including the deal for building six Scorpene diesel-electric submarines for the Navy.
The statement said, "Antony and Le Drian held detailed and useful talks on regional and international security challenges of mutual interest."
India is apprehensive about the impact of withdrawal of American troops in 2014 from Afghanistan on the security scenario in the immediate and extended neighbourhood.
