India-France Agreements

Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France along with his wife Carla Bruni, visited India from 4 December 2010 to 7 December 2010. During this visit, India and France signed seven agreements, out of which five agreements were in the area of nuclear energy. The agreements signed between India and France are as following:
•    India and France signed the agreement concerning Intellectual Property Rights on the development of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
•    India and France also signed the agreement on the protection of confidentiality of technical data and information relating to cooperation in the peaceful uses of Nuclear energy.
•    The cooperation agreement was finalised between the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) of India and the Commissariat A L’energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives (CEA) in the area of Nuclear Science and Technology for peaceful uses of Nuclear Energy.
•    General framework agreement between NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited) of India and the French company AREVA for implementation of EPR NPP units at Jaitapur site, Maharashtra.
•    Early Works Agreement between NPCIL and AREVA for Implementation of EPR NPP Units at Jaitapur Site, Maharashtra.
•    Memorandum of Understanding between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Centre National D'études Spatiales (CNES) for Cooperation in Earth System Science and Climate.
•    Agreement on Film Co- Production between India and France.

The Significance of Indo-France Agreements
The most important agreement which India and France signed is the General Framework Agreement, took place between NPCIL and AREVA to set up two nuclear power units at the Jaitapur site in Maharashtra. This agreement was the first one, which took place after India’s nuclear isolation was ended by NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group) in 2008. The general frame work agreement will increase India’s nuclear power production from 4000 MW to 10000 MW which would help India to meet its growing energy demand. The five agreements in the area of nuclear energy between India and France will increase the cooperation between the two nations in this field.
The agreement between ISRO and French National Space Agency (CNES) is important keeping in mind that India and France together is going to launch Megha-Tropiques and SARAL satellites in the year 2011.

India and France Issued Joint Declaration
During Presisdent Sarkozy’s Visit, India and France issued Joint Declaration. The main features of the Indo-France joint declaration are as following:
•    In their joint declaration, India and France decided to increase their cooperation for the speedy process of extradition requests, to stop the misuse of money for terrorism and impose the international sanctions against terrorist orgnaisations.
•    Indo-France joint declaration termed international terrorism one of the core issues in bilateral strategic cooperation and supported Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism initiated by India.
•    India and France confirmed their determination to work for a stable Afghanistan.
•    In their joint statement India and France decided to cooperate together to make G-20 more effective to reform the international monetary system.
•    France supported India’s permanent membership in UN Security Council and resolved to work together to reform the UN Security Council.
•    France also supported India’s full membership of multilateral export control regimes.
•    India and France, in their joint declaration, also expressed concern at the present situation in Korean peninsula and urged North Korea to act in accordance with International resolutions.

India and France Signed Two Pacts on Nuclear Safety
India and France signed two agreements in the area of nuclear safety. The first agreement is between the Atomic Energy regulatory Board (AERB) and the French Nuclear Safety Authority(ASN) for cooperation in nuclear safety and radiation protection.The second agreement is called the AERB-IRSN Framework agreement related to nuclear safety as well.India and France also held discussion in the areas of defence, energy, infrastructure, space, research and development.Both nations discussed trade and investment. India and France decided to double bilateral trade to 12 billion euros. France offered to invest approximately 10 billion euros over the next two years in India. India invited French companies for investment in India particularly infrastructure sector. Moreover, the two nations also discussed cooperation in counter-terrorism and the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan. . India and France also discussed global economic situation like Euro crisis and reforms within G-20.

Cultural Exchange between India and France
India and France agreement on the film co-production is likely to motivate the joint co-operation projects in the film industry in future. France and India expressed satisfaction on holding the cross cultural programmes like Bonjour India and Namaste France. The two nations welcomed the launching of France 24 in India. France 24 is a news channel.

India-France Commercial Relations Getting Stronger
India-France commercial relations are getting stronger which is proved by the signing of the framework agreement between NCCIL and AREVA for the supply of two nuclear reactors. The value of these two deals is around a third of the total Indo-French trade. India’s need for clean energy (mainly in form of nuclear energy) is likely to grow and active cooperation with France is necessary to meet this demand. France on its part wants India to open its market especially in insurance and multi brand retail sector so that it could increase its investment in Indian market.