Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, Minister of Railways (MR), Govt. Of
India visited France on 11-12 April 2016. During his visit, he called on Mr.
Laurent Fabius, President of the Constitutional Council of France and met with
Mr. Alain Vidalies, Minister of State for Transport, Marine Affairs and
Fisheries. MR also participated in the Emerging Markets Forum organized at the
Banque de France premises in Paris where he delivered a talk on “Emerging World
in 2050”. MR also met Ms. Florence Parly, CEO of SNCF (French Railways). SNCF
also organized a ride on their fast train (TGV) from Paris to Reims during
which MR was seated in the driver’s cabin of the train. The detailed report of
the France visit is given below :-
11th
April 2016
Meeting with
Mr. Alain Vidalies (AV), Minister of State for Transport, Marine Affairs and
Fisheries
AV
welcomed MR to his Ministry and recalled the important recent visits from India to France, including Prime Minister’s visit for Leaders’ Conference during COP-21 and the
visit of Shri Venkaiah Naidu, Minister of Urban Development in October 2015.
He also referred to the great success of President Hollande’s State visit to India in January 2016. AV expressed satisfaction regarding the high level of engagement
between India and France in the context of which the two countries also have
very good cooperation in the field of railways. Referring to the numerous
Agreements/MoUs which exist between Indian Railways (IR) and SNCF, he
specifically mentioned the two recent MoUs pertaining to the renovation of the Ludhiana and Ambala stations by SNCF. AV said that he was happy to note that CEO, SNCF
would be meeting MR in Paris the next day and that she (CEO, SNCF) is planning
to visit India on 2-3 June. AV requested MR for his thoughts on IR-SNCF
cooperation.
MR
thanked AV for the warm welcome accorded to him. He said that in his views the
railways sector will play a key role in taking forward India-France relations
which have received a big boost thanks to the visit of President Hollande to India as the chief guest of our Republic Day. MR specially mentioned the participation of
the French contingent in the Republic Day parade as a historic first. MR said
that cooperation in the field of railways between India and France is important and the role of SNCF in that, in terms of bringing high technology and
expertise is very important. MR handed over the presentation showcasing the
progress and the way forward for IR to AV. MR informed AV that GoI has decided
to invest US$ 142 billion in next five years in railways. MR informed that
Indian Prime Minister is of the view that Railways development is an important
engine for growth in India. Besides this, other countries are also investing in
India in this sector. Japan will be investing US$ 16 billion in high speed
railways between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Alstom and GE have got a contract of
US$ 7 billion for manufacturing electric and diesel locomotives in India. Several countries including Germany, Spain, Korea and others want to work with India. MR urged France to look at India to participate in the opportunities in this
sector. With 8000 stations and handling 7 billion passengers every year, the
Indian Railways are looking towards modernisation, safety, technological
up-gradation and many other things. MR informed AV that we are not looking for
government funding as private sector funding is also available. MR said that France can go beyond the existing cooperation and should invest in strategic technology of Railway
sector in which both India and France has mutual benefit. MR informed that
Indian Railways is modernizing including increase in speed, safety and
modernization of stations etc. in which French companies should take part. He
also requested to fast track the implementation of station developments and
semi high speed Railway corridors.
AV
thanked MR for his presentation on IR and said that there are many robust
French companies who will be willing to work in this sector. France has a great railway culture and has 30000 kms of track and 3000 stations. France has great experience in high speed trains. In 2017, four new lines of high speed
trains will be operational. Besides that, in the Paris-region new sub-urban
trains will be introduced. French Railways are looking at three issues of
importance; (i) role of railways in urban planning so that trains, metro and
buses become seamless; (ii) railway stations to be developed as centre of life
in cities, including their development as shopping malls etc.; and (iii)
renovation projects. There are also important issues relating to security and
safety of the railway network and the passengers, especially the safety of
technical equipment in view of recent terrorist attacks.
MR invited AV to visit India with a delegation of French companies
so that technical round tables could be organized to come up with a work plan
between IR and French Railways. MR said that he would be sending an
official invitation to AV and said that India wants French companies in the
success story of IR. AV said that he would be happy to visit India and start preparing and lining up the requisite delegation. He said that it will be
a logical follow up to the visit of President Hollande to India.
AV was accompanied with Mr. Patrice Saint Blancard, Conseiller
Services Ferovieares, Mr. Michael Martier, Conseiller Diplomatique and Mr.
Maxime Du Bois, Officer for India and Oceania, Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable
Development and Energy. MR was accompanied with Ambassador, Dr. Mohan Kumar,
DCM, Shri Manish Prabhat and First Secretary (E&C), Shri L. Ramesh Babu.
Call on Mr.
Laurent Fabius (LF), President of the Constitutional Council of France
MR congratulated LF on his elevation to the august Constitutional
office. He also congratulated LF on his achievement as President of COP-21 to
have successfully completed the process leading to the Paris Agreement. MR
also expressed his deep appreciation of LF’s important contribution to the
strengthening of India-France relations when the latter was Foreign Minister of
France.
LF
thanked MR for his warm words of appreciation. LF expressed condolences on the
Kerala fire tragedy. MR thanked LF for the latter’s sincere words of sympathy.
MR
told LF that the Prime Minister is very upbeat about France-India relations.
Briefing LF on his earlier meeting with the French State Minister for Railways,
Alain Vidalies, MR said that he has invited AV to visit India and look at the great opportunities in the railway sector in India for active cooperation of
French companies. He said that there are several projects going on in this
sector of high speed trains. Delhi-Agra sector has just seen the introduction
of Gatimaan Express. The Spanish company, Talgo, is working on Delhi-Mumbai
sector for introduction of high speed trains. In various capacities, more than
40 countries are working with IR and, hence, France should increase its
involvement in India in this sector.
LF lauded the role of the Ministry of Railways in India and welcomed the idea of closer France-India relations in this sector. MR informed
LF that recent studies by Nomura and Morgan Stanley have pointed out that
development of railways has a widespread effect on the economy and can
contribute up to 1-1.5% of growth in GDP. LF inquired about the state of
recent developments in India. MR told him that we are going at above 7% of GDP
growth. We expect a good monsoon this year and, hence, the prospect of growth
for the next year is even better. Prime Minister has shown vision and leadership
and has been lauded. He has announced important programmes like Digital
India. Manufacturing is growing and core sectors are picking up. Exports have
been slow because of global slowdown. Four states in India are going to elections.
LF said that both France and India need stability. EU is also
facing challenges. There is a difficult referendum coming up in Britain regarding the question of its exit from EU. He lauded Prime Minister Modi’s role
in paying attention to economy. He also took the opportunity to highlight
Prime Minister’s and India’s role in ensuring the success of COP-21. LF said
that “without you, it was not possible”.
MR referred to the successful visit of President Hollande to India and also mentioned the first ever historic participation of a foreign contingent in India’s Republic Day parade, the honour of which went to France. MR invited LF to visit India along with his spouse. MR said that he would be happy to invite them to taste the
experience of one of the luxury trains in India which has been voted to be the
best in the world in tourism and hospitality. LF said that he would be very
happy to visit India. MR told him that he will be sending him an official
invitation.
From
the perspective of his current Constitutional position, LF inquired from MR
that whether the Supreme Court of India has the power to declare a bill passed
by the Parliament as unconstitutional. MR informed him that the Supreme Court
of India can declare a law ultra vires if the provisions of the law is found to
be in violation of the Constitution or the basic structure of the
Constitution. During the discussion, DCM also informed LF about the recent
visit of the Chief Justice of India (March 2016) leading a Supreme Court
delegation to Strasbourg on the invitation of the European Court there.
LF
was accompanied with Mr. Alexandre Ziegler, Ambassador-designate to India and Mr. David Gaudillere, Directeur de Cabinet du President, Conseil Constitutionnel.
MR was accompanied with DCM and FS(E&C).
Telephonic
conversation between MR and Ms. Laurence Tubiana, Special Representative of France for COP-21.
Due
to scheduling difficulties, a meeting between the two could not take place.
However, the two had a telephonic conversation in which MR congratulated Ms.
Tubiana on the success of COP-21 leading to the Paris Agreement.
12th April 2016
TGV (high speech) train ride:
MR travelled
in the driver’s cabin of TGV (high speed train) from Paris to Reims. Mr. Diego
Diaz, Director, SNCF International and FS (E&C) had accompanied the
Minister. The driver of the train had briefed MR on the safety features and
modern equipment installed in the driver’s cabin. A distance of 150 km was
covered in 45 minutes. Mr. Jean Francois Antona, Head of SNCF of the region
received the Minister at Reims and showed around Reims station. Mr. Antona had
briefed MR on the running, maintenance and up keep of Reims railway station.
Luncheon
meeting:
Mr.
Eric Dussiot (ED), AREP (Design and Architect subsidiary of SNCF) International
Director and Mr. Jean Manuel Hue, Public Affairs Director, Secretary General
hosted a lunch for MR. ED briefed MR on the progress and the difficulties faced
in the station development project. ED informed MR that the field review of
this project is being carried out and SNCF is hopeful to complete study by
October-November 2016. ED also briefed MR on the study carried out by SNCF on
Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway station in Mumbai. MR requested them to fast track
the implementation of Station development and sought French support in Railway
timetable preparation, budget issues and how to calculate the profit made per
operation of the train. MR also requested to share the study on Mumbai Railway
station. Mr. Hue informed MR that an Inter-Parliamentary delegation responsible
for transport including railways is visiting Delhi on 2-3 June 2016. The visit
is being coordinated by Business France in Delhi. MR expressed his desire to
meet the delegation, possibly over a lunch/dinner hosted by him.
Speech at
Emerging Market Forum:
MR
participated in the Emerging Markets Forum (EMF) organized at the Banque de
France premises in Paris. Emerging Markets Forum is an US based not for profit initiative to bring together high level government and corporate
leaders from around the World to engage in dialogue on the key economic and
social issues encountered in the emerging market countries. The event held in Paris focussed on the opportunity to learn and discuss the principal conclusion of the
study: The world in 2050-Striving for a just, prosperous and harmonious
global community. MR along with other dignitaries like former President of Germany Mr. Horst Koehler, Chairman of Banque de France released the above book edited by
Mr. Harinder Kohli, CEO of EMF. MR gave a talk on “Emerging World in 2050” in
which he had enumerated the issues faced by Emerging Market like by Climate
Change, Migration, economic slow down, Sustainable development which needs to
be addressed to have better world in 2050. Ambassador and FS (E&C) attended
the event.
Meeting with
Ms. Florence Parly, CEO of SNCF (French Railway):
MR
met Ms. Florence Parly (FP), CEO of SNCF. MR informed FP that GoI has decided
to invest US$ 142 billion in next five years in railways and World Bank and
other lenders/investors are ready with funding. MR requested to make a
complete study plan of enhancing speed in the existing Railway tracks in India. He added that the study could also focus on how IR should look in 2030 and wanted
French participation in the success story. MR added that Railways have the
potential to increase GDP by 1-1.5 percent. Ambassador added that it would be
said without exaggeration that among all the Strategic partners India has, France has been the most reliable partner and activities of SNCF fits in the enhancement
of strategic partnerships between India and France. FP agreed that SNCF should
do more in the enhanced Railway cooperation with India. She added that they are
absolutely convinced on the success of India and would like to invest much more
in the field of Railways. She informed that Indian PM showed great interest in
railways cooperation during the business meeting held in April 2015 during his
visit to France. FP enquired the modalities of how to enhance the cooperation
in Railways to the next level. MR said that a nodal officer for France be appointed by him to look into new areas of cooperation and he would personally
review the progress. He also invited SNCF to bring a delegation to discuss and
sign a protocol on new areas of railway cooperation. FP replied that before the
signing of the protocol, SNCF would like to bring in a working level delegation
for carrying out technical discussions and finalizing the Protocol. (FP
informed that she would be moving over as CEO of Passenger Segment of SNCF from
1 May but would like to be involved in the India-France Railway cooperation)
MR was accompanied with Ambassador, DCM and First Secretary
(E&C). FP was accompanied with Mr. Diego Diaz, President, SNCF International.
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