France on Wednesday thanked India for selecting Rafale aircraft and assured India its support and assistance in fight against terrorism “in all its forms in international forums”.
This was conveyed by the French ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler in a micro blogging missive.
“In Bengalaru, I had the privilege of meeting Hon’ble Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at AeroIndia venue for a brief exchange on defence cooperation. I also reiterated French support to India in its fight against terrorism in all its forms in international forums,” he tweeted.
Talking to a private TV news channel, the envoy said: “I am very proud that today we could display remarkable skills and remarkable performance of this aircraft (Rafale)”.
“We feel very honoured that India has selected this aircraft and the very first aircraft will join the Indian Air Force within seven months in September,” he said.
He, however, declined to comment on the political row on Rafale and merely said: “everything has been cleared and clarified”.
Aftermath the terror attack at Pulwama French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian has “condemned” the despicable attack targeted against India.
“France has always stood and will continue to stand alongside India in the fight against terrorism
in all its forms. I call on each state to take effective measures to combat the terrorist networks and their funding channels and to prevent the cross-border movement of terrorist groups such as
Jaish-e-Muhammad, which has claimed responsibility for this attack,” he had said.
