India has welcomed the announcement on the operationalization of visa-free transit for Indian nationals transiting through French airports. Briefing media in New Delhi this evening, Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said the removal of the requirement of transit visas for Indian passport holders was agreed upon between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron during their meeting in Mumbai in February this year. He said, ‘The Government of France has now operationalized this agreement. ‘ Mr Jaiswal said Indian nationals transiting through mainland France exclusively by air will no longer need a transit visa, with effect from the 10th of April. He said the decision reflects the enduring partnership between India and France, elevated to the level of a special global strategic partnership during the visit of President Macron and the further facilitation of smoother movement of people and enhanced people-to-people ties.
India has welcomed Japan’s review of the three principles on the transfer of defence equipment and technology. Mr Jaiswal said defence and security cooperation forms an important pillar of the India-Japan special strategic and global partnership. He said, as part of the joint declaration on security cooperation between India and Japan, both sides have committed to increasing practical cooperation in the interest of their national security and continued economic dynamism. The spokesperson said this includes promotion and facilitation of technological and industrial collaboration between Government entities and private sector stakeholders for resilience in sectors critical to national security.
On a query on the India-US bilateral trade agreement, Mr Jaiswal said that a team from India went to Washington DC for negotiations on the bilateral trade agreement. He said, ” These engagements are ongoing and constructive. Mr Jaiswal said both sides are working towards a balanced, mutually beneficial and forward-looking trade agreement, taking into account each other’s concerns and priorities, to reach a trade target of 500 billion dollars by 2030.
