Hollande hopes to close fighter jet, nuclear plant deals
14 Feb 2013
French President Francois Hollande's two-day visit to India is largely seen as an attempt to clinch a few deals that would help boost France's sagging economy.
Topmost on the agenda would be to finalise the sale of some 126 Rafale fighter planes made by Dassault Aviation to the Indian Air Force. The deal is worth $12 billion.
The finalisation of a pact for French nuclear power company Areva to help build a 9,900 MW nuclear plant at Jaitapur in Maharashtra will also be high on Hollande's agenda during his meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and members of his cabinet.
The $9.3-billion framework agreement for the Jaitapur project was signed during a visit to India in 2010 by Hollande's predecessor, Nicolas Sarkozy.
The project, located in one of the most ecologically sensitive areas of the state, has encountered much opposition from locals and environmental activists, but is unlikely to be stopped now.
India said this week it is "fully committed" to the French-assisted Jaitapur nuclear plant but added that there are "issues pertaining to cost".
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