India, France intends to broaden scope in space cooperation

New Delhi, Dec 6 (ANI): Acknowledging the essential nature of cooperation in the field of space, India and France intend to broaden the scope of their exchanges and further develop their joint efforts in this field.

In the spirit of the Framework Agreement signed between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and French National Space Agency (CNES), French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh applaud the space establishments of both nations for the progress made in developing the Megha-Tropiques and SARAL satellites, due to be launched in 2011 timeframe.

The two governments also reaffirmed their determination to pursue space cooperation in the fields of Earth Observation for climate change studies and space exploration.

India and France also acknowledged the ascending trend of the industrial cooperation over the years nurtured by space industries of both countries.

In this regard, they welcome the recent breakthroughs made by Astrium and Antrix Corporation in the joint development and marketing of communications satellites, following their 2005 Agreement.

They also welcome continuing this promising collaboration in the coming years.

Noting the innovative, broad-based and dynamic nature of their partnership in the field of civil nuclear energy cooperation, both nations welcome the progress towards further strengthening cooperation between the two countries including in research and development and in setting up joint nuclear power projects.

Following India's enactment of a civil nuclear liability legislation, both countries stand ready to further exchange views on this issue so as to ensure the appropriate framework for the sound development of their cooperation.

The two sides also welcome the entry into force on January 14 2010 of the India-France Cooperation Agreement on the Development of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.

The also welcome the signing of agreements on the protection of Confidentiality of Technical data and information relating to cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and concerning intellectual property rights on the development of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy which supplement it (ANI)