Nagpur
India is the natural partner of France in Asia, French Defence Minister Florence Parly said here on Friday, adding that her country shared concerns over the threat of terrorism.

Parly, who held talks in Delhi earlier on Friday with her Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman, said they discussed issues like terrorism and military cooperation.

“India is our natural partner in Asia. This is why our President will visit India in December,” she said. “During my talks (with Sitharaman), we shared views on threat of terrorism confronting India, France and Europe and ways to combat it.”

The minister was speaking at a media briefing after the foundation laying ceremony of Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) manufacturing facility at the Dhirubhai Ambani Aerospace Park in Mihan SEZ near the Nagpur airport.

“We also shared views on situation in the Indian Ocean region. We have decided to strengthen the bilateral military cooperation. Cooperation in area of submarine building was also discussed,” she said.

The French minister added: “We are fully aware that PM Modi’s make in India initiative is of utmost importance to India”.