India-France Business Summit: President Hollande, PM Modi attends, visits Rock Garden

Chandigarh: French President Francois Hollande played down the prospect of a swift conclusion to the Rafale jet deal as he began a three-day visit to India on Sunday.

President Hollande, who will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade in Delhi, arrived this afternoon at Chandigarh and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the historic Rock Garden.

The two Leaders viewed the displays of archaeological findings from the foothills of the Himalayas which suggest human activity possibly dating back to 2.6 million years ago, making them among the oldest known remnants of human existence.

This significant discovery is the result of seven years of extensive research and collaboration between the Prehistory Department of the National Museum of Natural History of France and the Society of Archaeological and Anthropological Research of Chandigarh undertaken under the auspices of an “Agreement of Collaboration between Society for Archaeological & Anthropological Research, India and French National Museum of Natural History”.

The archaeological discovery comprises about 1500 fossil finds, including 200 quartzite tools collected from several locations spread over 50 acres of area in Masol region near Chandigarh.

The research work relating to this archaeological discovery is being published in the form of articles in the Palevol Review.

The Prime Minister and President Hollande congratulated the Indo-French team for their joint research work leading to this discovery.

They underlined that this example of successful bilateral collaboration illustrated the long-standing cultural ties and enduring collaboration between India and France in rediscovering, preserving and promoting our shared cultural heritage.

They hoped that such discoveries would lend further momentum for more joint endeavours in the future.

Here are the latest developments:

•     On landing in Chandigarh, President Hollande told reporters: "We are going to take another step on the road which we hope will lead us to India's acquisition of the 36 Rafale jets. The commercial contract can only come after the inter-governmental accord, which will be discussed during my visit."
•     In an interview to the Press Trust of India before coming to India, President Hollande had said on the deal: "Agreeing on the technicalities of this arrangement obviously takes time, but we are on the right track."
•     The nearly Rs. 60,000 crore or $10-billion Rafale deal is expected to come up when President Hollande and PM Modi hold talks on Monday.
•     Indian and French negotiators are still haggling over the price of the jets for the Indian Air Force.
•     PM Modi had announced in Paris last year that India would buy 36 Rafales in flyaway condition for the Indian Air Force. The jets are key to India's plans to modernize its military and keep up with neighbours Pakistan and China.
•     President Hollande began his India visit in Chandigarh, which was designed by French architect Le Corbusier more than 60 years ago.
•     President Hollande and PM Modi hugged when they met at the city's Rock Garden that has sculptures made out of rubble from the city's construction. The two later attended a business summit.
•     Thousands of security personnel from Punjab, Haryana and para-military personnel are in Chandigarh with security experts assessing a "very real" ISIS threat.
•     Earlier this month, a letter warning against President Hollande's visit was received by the French consulate in Bengaluru.
•     President Hollande and PM Modi are expected to sit side by side to watch Tuesday's Republic Day parade. French soldiers will march down Rajpath along with Indian troops, a first for any foreign army.