France has, for the time-being, put on hold the sale of heavy defence armaments and equipment to Pakistan. Visiting French defence minister Gerard Longuet told reporters in New Delhi that France has “discouraged” any request by Pakistan for heavy equipment, especially naval equipment. France had earlier sold Agosta submarines
to Pakistan. Mr Longuet said that while France was to sell electronic interception equipment to Pakistan to assist it in the fight against terror, even that is not being sold at this stage. He said that France wanted to be certain that equipment sold by it to Pakistan would be used in the war against terror. He said that France had asked Pakistan for certain “clarifications” and added that France was waiting for these. The French defence minister also confirmed that defence minister A.K. Antony had raised the issue of French sale of armaments to Pakistan during talks in New Delhi. France has taken the step, even as it is in contention for two major defence deals with India that include the $10 billion Medium Multi-role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) deal and the $2.1 billion deal for upgrade of the Indian Air Force’s Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft fleet.
Stating in clear terms that France had a strategic relationship with India, he said France saw India as a “major factor of stability” and that the French public wanted to see India as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. He also said the French Army would hold joint exercises with the Indian Army later this year.
When asked about the MMRCA deal, Mr Longuet indicated that if the French company Dassault bagged the deal for sale of its Rafale fighter aircraft, there would be no restriction on usage of technology (as per the French policy towards India) and that there would be “one partner and one answer” so far as India is concerned for any clarification or guarantees.
He made it clear that for the past 50 years, India knew that France has always given strong guarantees.