Expansion of India-France defence cooperation to be focus of PM Modi's visit to Paris

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to France beginning July 13 would be both rich in "substance" and set "new benchmark" for strategic partnership between the two countries in years ahead, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Wednesday.

Boosting defence ties is expected to be a key focus of the talks between Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron with ground work being laid to announce New Delhi's procurement of 26 Naval variant of Rafale jets from France besides a big-ticket deal to jointly develop an aircraft engine in India.

Modi will be guest of honour at the annual Bastille Day Parade and hold talks with Macron to take forward cooperation in a range of key areas including defence, space, trade and investment. After concluding his visit to France, Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi.