World's Biggest Aircraft Deal Between Air India And Airbus Shows Strengthening India-France Ties: PM Modi

PM Modi said India and France together are making a positive contribution in the Indo-Pacific region and global food and health security and the Air India-Airbus deal reflected that.

File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron launched the Air India-Airbus partnership via video conference on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi said the deal reflected the strengthening relations between India and France.

"This important deal reflects the deepening ties between India and France, as well as the successes and aspirations of India's civil aviation sector. Whether it is the issue of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, or global food security and health security, India and France together are making a positive contribution," PM Modi said.

French President Macron was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters: "This achievement shows that Airbus and all its French partners are fully dedicated to develop new areas of dedication with India." He also said that France would strive to provide state-of-the-art and most efficient technology to India.

"It is a historic moment for Airbus to help script Air India's revival," Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury said at the video conference, which was also attended by Ratan Tata and Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. As per the deal, the Tata group will purchase 250 aircraft from Airbus. This is the world's largest aviation deal ever. Of the 250 aircraft, 40 units will be A350 wide-body long-range planes and the rest will be narrow-body planes.

In the next 15 years, over 2,000 aircraft would be required in India, PM Modi added.

Chairman of Tata Sons Natarajan Chandrasekaran said: "We have built a very good relationship with Airbus. Today, I am happy to announce that we have signed a letter of intent to acquire 250 aircraft from Airbus."

While talking about the nation's aviation sector, PM Modi said: "Through our Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN), remote parts of the country are being connected through air connectivity, which is boosting the economic & social development of people."

He also said that many new opportunities were opening up in the aerospace manufacturing sector under the country's 'Make In India - Make For The World' vision.