Your Excellency, my friend, President Emmanuel Macron

Shri Piyush Goyal, Commerce & Industry Minister

Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of Civil Aviation

Shri Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Trusts

Shri N. Chandrashekharan, Chairman, Tata Sons

Mr. Campbell Wilson, CEO Air India

Mr. Guillaume Faury, CEO Airbus

First of all, I congratulate Air India and Airbus for this landmark agreement. I especially thank my friend President Macron for joining in this event.

The deal is a testament to the deepening relationship between India and France as well as the successes and ambitions of India's civil aviation industry. Today, our civil aviation sector is an integral part of India's development. Strengthening civil aviation is an important aspect of our National Infrastructure Strategy. In the last eight years, the number of airports in India have jumped from 74 to 147, almost double the increase. Through our regional connectivity scheme (UDAN), remote parts of the country are also getting linked via air connectivity, which is promoting the economic and social development of the people.

India will soon become the third largest market in the aviation sector in the world. As per several estimates, the number of aircrafts needed in India in the next 15 years will be more than 2000. Today's historic announcement will be helpful in meeting this growing demand. Under India's 'Make in India - Make for the World' vision, many new opportunities are opening up in aerospace manufacturing. A provision of 100% FDI via automatic route has been made for green field and brown field airports. Similarly, 100% FDI has also been allowed in ground handling services, maintenance, repair and overhaul i.e. MRO. India can become a hub of MRO for the entire region. Today all global aviation companies are present in India. I invite them to take full advantage of these opportunities.

Friends,

The agreement between Air India and Airbus is also an important milestone for the Indo-French Strategic Partnership. A few months ago, in October 2022, I attended the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Defence Transport Aircraft Project in Vadodara. Tata and Airbus also have a partnership in this project being built with an investment of 2.5 billion euros. I am also happy to know that French company Safran is setting up the largest MRO facility in India to service aircraft engines.

Today, the India-France partnership is playing a direct role in ensuring the stability and balance in the international order and the multilateral system. 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 positive contributions.

President Macron,

I am confident that our bilateral relations will touch even greater heights this year. Under India's G20 Presidency, we will have more opportunities to work together. Once again, many thanks and best wishes to all of you.

DISCLAIMER - This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s remarks. Original remarks were delivered in Hindi.

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