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Major defence deal likely to be announced during Modi's France visit

by IBNS 10 Apr 2015, 11:17 am

Paris, Apr 10 (IBNS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to sign a major defence deal with France involving purchase of 60 Rafale fighter jets worth over 4 billion Dollars.

Reports said the deal is likely to be announced at a joint press conference  by Modi and French President Francois Hollande in Paris on Friday.
 
Reports,however, said the final  signing of the  deal is yet to take place as India and France have some differences over the final amount.
 
Modi arrived in France on Thursday night in the first leg of his three-nation tour. During his four-day stay in France he will  hold talks with Hollande and meet business leaders with the focus of  discussions being set on  civil nuclear, defence and trade.

The two leaders are also expected to unveil Franco-Indian stamps. 
 
In France, the Prime Minister will also visit the World War-I memorial and pay tributes to about 10,000 Indians who lost their lives while fighting alongside France. 
 
He will also visit UNESCO headquarters, Airbus facility and French space agency office.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said, "The Prime Minister will discuss all issues including those of strategic nature. There will be discussions on defence and nuclear matters."

,Modi will head to Germany after his visit to France before moving to Canada in the last leg of his itinerary.