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France announced on Thursday that it will provide financial aid of up to € 200 million to support vulnerable sectors of society amid the Covid-19 pandemic, fulfilling a commitment made by President Emmanuel Macron.
“Joining hands to overcome # covid19: Through the French Development Agency @AFD_en, France is providing financial support of up to € 200 million to boost social welfare systems and protect vulnerable populations in India!” French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain tweeted.
The advisory board of the French Development Agency (AFD) has allocated the funds and is expected to sign an agreement with the Indian Ministry of Finance in the coming weeks to support welfare measures and the most vulnerable sectors of society, people familiar with the developments said. of anonymity.
AFD finances and supports projects in 115 countries aimed at creating a fairer and more sustainable world. It focuses on projects related to climate, biodiversity, education, urban development and health.
Macron had discussed financial aid during his March 31 phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also focused on collaboration in the fight against Covid-19.
The people quoted above said the Indian and French navies are also holding preliminary discussions about their next joint exercise, which is expected to take place after the Covid-19 crisis. Both navies are currently engaged in missions to repatriate their nationals from the Indian Ocean region.
The Indian Navy is conducting Operation Samudra Setu, using large warships to repatriate some 1,000 Indian nationals from the Maldives. The French Navy participates in Operation Resilience to provide support to citizens in the French territories of the Indian Ocean in the fight against Covid-19.
“From the Varuna exercises to joint maritime surveillance, [French] AND [Indian] the navies maintain their cooperative efforts, a cornerstone of our # strategic partnership. They are fully involved in the Samudra Setu and Resilience operations respectively, helping people facing pandemic test # COVID19, ”French Ambassador Lenain tweeted.
Exactly a year ago, the 17th edition of the Varuna joint exercise had been carried out by the Indian and French navies with 12 vessels participating in air, surface and submarine exercises.
“Upon reaching a decisive phase in interoperability, it announced a joint maritime surveillance mission to be conducted in the Exclusive Economic Zone of France in February 2020 with an Indian patrol aircraft and a French surveillance frigate,” said the French embassy in a statement.
“In 2020, the two navies continue to maintain their cooperation efforts, which are a cornerstone of the strategic partnership between France and India,” added the statement.
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