New Delhi: India and France on Monday inked Memorandum of Understanding on purchase of Rafale fighter jets, in addition to 12 others MoUs in different sectors.
Addressing a joint press conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India and France have signed inter-governmental agreement, leaving out the financial aspect, on the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets.
The Prime Minister said, "We expect that even the financial aspects pertaining to the purchase of Rafale jets will be resolved as soon as possible."
French President Francois Hollande termed the inking of IGA for Rafale as a "decisive" step, adding that there were some financial issues that would be sorted out in couple of days.
"We have been working to finalise the Rafale deal. These are the same aircraft that are fighting ISIS right now, we are proud to present these jets to a country like India. We will try to resolve all financial matters at the earliest," he said.
The two leaders also stressed on the need to tackle terror, issuing a joint statement on counter terrorism.
"From Paris to Pathankot, we saw the gruesome face of the common challenge of terrorism," said Prime Minister Modi.
He added, "Our Joint Statement on counter terrorism underscores our determination to combat all forces that sponsor, shelter and support terrorism."
Meanwhile, Hollande said, "It was ISIS that attacked us, they are provoking us in the worst possible way...We are determined to strike ISIS repeatedly."
The French President also said that the setting up of Jaitapur nuclear plant would hopefully be concluded within one year.
(With PTI Inputs)
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