Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on a three-day visit to France, received the first Rafale aircraft from France. The first of the 36 long-awaited Rafale fighter jets on behalf of the Indian Air Force (IAF) was received by Mr Singh today in Merignac. The ribbon-cutting ceremony is expected to be preceded by Shastra Puja - the traditional worship of weapons during Dussehra. Calling it a "historic day", Rajnath Singh said this shows the deepening ties between the two countries."
Mr Singh also undertook a sortie in the aircraft and held discussions with the country's top leadership during his time in the European country. Shortly after landing in Paris, the Defence Minister tweeted that the visit aimed at expanding the existing strategic partnership between both the countries.
Mr Singh held a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at Elysee Palace, the official base of the French President and welcomed France as an "important strategic partner" of India.
"We have a multi-dimensional relationship with France and the ties are progressing on all fronts. The talks today are part of a comprehensive defence dialogue between the two countries," said defence secretary Ajay Kumar, who is part of the ministerial delegation to France.
India had signed an agreement with France for the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of Rs. 59,000 crore in September 2016. The first batch of four jets will come next May.