French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou on Monday said the two countries are working on enhancing their cooperation in the aerospace sector. The two countries have decided to set up an aeronautics cluster as well as develop an Indo-French campus for training in aeronautics and space sector.

The two countries have long been strategic partners, especially in the field of defense and aerospace. Addressing a conference organized by the French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS), Thierry Mathou said that 55 percent of France's exports to India are in the aeronautics sector. Exports of French aerospace companies to India in the first half of 2024 stood at 2.7 billion euros.

Work is also being done on setting up an aeronautical cluster

He said the partnership between the two countries is not only strategic but also universal. The two countries are currently working on an Indo-French campus for professional training in aeronautics and space. We are also working on setting up an aeronautics cluster in collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Detailed details about the cluster proposal could not be known at the moment.

According to Thierry Mathou, 'France will support India's goal of decarbonizing its transport system and developing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). He said that today our partnership is not just strategic. You should call it universal, because it goes from the seabed to outer space. At the event, Civil Aviation Minister K Ramamohan Naidu said that India and France can work together to develop a strong SAF supply chain.