At the backdrop of the official induction of the 4.5 generation Rafale fighter jets by the Indian Air Force, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart Florence Parly on Thursday (Sept 10) held an important discussion on further cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), were countries in this area are dealing with the aggressive Chinese military posturing.
During the meeting, Singh also talked about India’s four-month-long border dispute with China in eastern Ladakh which does not seem to ebb.
Both senior politicians also reviewed the present bilateral cooperation between India and France and exchanged views on contemporary regional and global security issues of mutual interest.
But the most important discussion was on the strategic India-France cooperation in the IOR, the sources said.
Ambala Air Force Station which is the first airbase to be constructed played host, marking the induction of five Rafale jets into the Indian Air Force.
Amid the growing crisis in Eastern Ladakh, the Indian Navy has significantly expanded its deployment in the Indian Ocean Region. Many of its frontline warships and submarines have been on active deployment to send a message to Beijing that India will not be bullied.
China clearly knows it is vulnerable around the Malacca Strait which is critical for its supply chain.
The French defence minister also held talks with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval focusing on ways to further boost bilateral defence, intelligence and security cooperation, officials said.
In her brief address at the ceremony, Parly said “The strategic partnership between France and India is based on common values and friendship forged over several decades. Since India’s independence, our two democracies have been cooperating very closely. France has always stood beside India in good and bad times,”.
While in Delhi, Parly visited the national war memorial and paid tributes to India’s fallen heroes.