India-France to produce subs and warships for export in Mumbai and Kolkata

The bilateral ties between India and France during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Paris took an orbital jump with defence public sector undertakings of both countries signing two MoUs to fabricate submarine and surface combatants and parts in Mumbai and Kolkata respectively for export to third countries. Both the MoUs will launch PM Modi’s “Make in India” initiative as Mazagon Dockyards Limited will jointly develop and manufacture Scorpene class submarines with French Naval Group for a third country, while Kolkata GRSE’s MoU with Naval Group is to fabricate surface naval combatants for export. French President Emmanuel Macron went out of his way to fete PM Modi by discussing global affairs and forthcoming G-20 during a two hour long private dinner in Elysee Palace on July 13 and then closed the Louvre for the first time on July 14 Bastille Day since France hosted Queen Elizabeth in 1953. Fact is that President Macron went out his way at the Bastille Day parade by introducing PM Modi to the veterans and the two shared an emotional moment after an Indian contingent of Punjab Regiment, which participated alongside French troops in World War I, smartly marched on Champs Elysee.ead