Latest news with #ThierryMathou


The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
French Ambassador meets Pinarayi, discusses future tie-ups
The French government will consider providing training including language classes to nurses to give them employment opportunities in France, Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India said during a meeting with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here on Thursday. Joint activities will be taken up with the Fisheries department to strengthen activities related to the Blue Economy. Representatives from France will participate in the conclave related to this to be held in September. He said initiatives like Mane Kancor in Kerala are working well with French cooperation. Investments from French companies will be strengthened. Discussions in this regard have been held with the Industries Minister. Ties with ISRO Touching upon his country's strong ties with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), he expressed interest in strengthening partnership in the defense and aerospace sectors. Opportunities for working together in the field of climate change will also be examined, he said. Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian and Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak were present.


India Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Army contingent departs for France to take part in joint exercise 'Shakti 2025'
New Delhi [India], June 16 (ANI): The Indian Army contingent on Monday left for France to participate in the eighth edition of the Indo-French joint military Exercise 'Shakti' that will take place in France's La Cavalerie from 18 June to 01 July 2025. In an official statement, the Army said, 'The Indian Army contingent has departed today for France to participate in the 8th edition of Exercise Shakti, taking place in La Cavalerie, France, from 18 June to 01 July 2025. The Exercise will foster synergy and interoperability in the conduct of counter terrorism operations in semi-urban terrain.' Exercise Shakti is an annual military training engagement conducted alternately in India and France. Last year, the seventh edition of Exercise Shakti was conducted at Umroi in Meghalaya from 13 to 26 May 2024. It was held at a 'fully developed and modern Foreign Training Node'. Underlining the diplomatic and military importance of the event, the Ministry of Defence in an official statement said, 'The Opening Ceremony of the joint exercise was attended by H.E. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India and Major General Prasanna Sudhakar Joshi, General Officer Commanding 51 Sub Area.' The Indian contingent for the 2024 edition comprised 90 personnel, mainly from a Battalion of the Rajput Regiment, with additional participation from other arms and services. Observers from the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force were also part of the exercise. The French contingent, also consisting of 90 personnel, was represented mainly by soldiers from the 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13th DBLE), the MoD statement added. Outlining the broader aim of the exercise, the Ministry said,' Aim of Exercise SHAKTI is to enhance joint military capability of both sides to undertake multi-domain operations in a sub-conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate. The joint exercise will focus on operations in the semi-urban and mountainous terrain.' 'Objectives to be achieved from the joint training are a high degree of physical fitness, rehearsing and refining drills for operations at the tactical level and sharing of best practices,' the MoD added. Key tactical elements to be practised during the joint exercise include responses to terrorist actions involving the capture of defined territory, setting up of a Joint Command Post and an Intelligence & Surveillance Centre, and securing of landing sites. The exercise will also feature Small Team Insertion and Extraction drills, Special Heliborne Operations, Cordon and Search Operations, as well as the deployment of drones and counter-drone systems. The Ministry added: 'Exercise SHAKTI will enable the two sides to share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures of conducting joint operations. The joint exercise will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between armed forces personnel of the two countries. This will also enhance the level of defence cooperation, further fostering bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.' (ANI)


Time of India
13-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MP & France sign MoU to boost cultural, tourism collaboration
Bhopal: A significant tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Friday to foster extensive collaboration between France and Madhya Pradesh in cultural and tourism domains. This event took place in the presence of chief minister Mohan Yadav, who presided over the ceremony. The three-year agreement, which can be extended through mutual agreement, was signed by French Ambassador Dr Thierry Mathou, principal secretary of tourism and culture Sheo Shekhar Shukla and Alliance Française de Bhopal president Akhilesh Verma. The aim is to establish Madhya Pradesh as a centre for Indo-French cultural and tourism partnerships. CM Yadav discussed the strong Indo-French relations, particularly following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France. He shared plans for his upcoming visit to France, highlighting Madhya Pradesh's preparedness for cultural and commercial collaborations, with an emphasis on industrial growth, entrepreneurial initiatives and handicraft development. French Ambassador Dr Thierry Mathou remarked, "We are very happy to establish this important cooperation with the govt of Madhya Pradesh. France mainly works on tourism, security, environment, and education. This MoU will further strengthen the cultural diplomacy between the two countries, which will open new opportunities in the field of art, education, and tourism." The agreement includes collaborative cultural programmes encompassing art festivals, music events, dance exhibitions, film screenings, culinary activities and other cultural initiatives. Plans include creating an annual Indo-French cultural schedule and translating tourism materials into French. The programme also includes French language and cultural training for tourism personnel and guides. This partnership aims to strengthen the state's cultural diplomacy while providing international opportunities for local artists, artisans, students, and cultural organisations, helping establish Madhya Pradesh's international presence. Principal Secretary of Industry Raghavendra Kumar Singh, French Consul General Jean-Marc Serre-Charle, French Embassy Political Counselor Shad Joynal Abedin, and Alliance Française representatives attended the signing event. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
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First Post
12-06-2025
- General
- First Post
Ahmedabad plane crash: Reactions pour in from around the world
Reactions are now pouring in from around the world following the deadly plane crash in India. Air India said the flight AI171 was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft read more Emergency personnel work at the crash site of an Air India plane in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025, in this still image taken from video. Source: ANI Air India on Thursday (June 12) confirmed that flight AI171 bound to Gatwick in London, was involved in an accident after take-off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. 'Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off. The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hours, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals. The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, to provide more information. Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident,' the Airline said STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter immediately after departure from Runway 23. Thick plumes of smoke could be seen at the accident spot as emergency crews reached the spot. Meanwhile, reactions are now pouring in from around the world following the deadly plane crash in India. France Ambassador of France to India, Thierry Mathou, issued a statement, saying France was 'saddened' by the reports of plane crash. 'France is deeply saddened by reports of a plane crash in #Ahmedabad. Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. We express our full solidarity at this difficult time." France is deeply saddened by reports of a plane crash in #Ahmedabad. Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. We express our full solidarity at this difficult time. — Thierry Mathou (@thierry_mathou) June 12, 2025 UK UK PM Keir Starmer called the incident 'devastating'. 'The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating. I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.' The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating. I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 12, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy issued a statement. 'Deeply saddened by news of a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. My thoughts are with all those affected. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support,' he wrote on X. Deeply saddened by news of a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. My thoughts are with all those affected. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support. — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) June 12, 2025 The UK high commission also issued a statement, saying it was in touch with local authorities to establish facts. 'We are aware that a flight from Ahmedabad to London has crashed near Ahmedabad airport. We are working with local authorities to urgently establish the facts and provide support. Our thoughts are with all those affected' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We are aware that a flight from Ahmedabad to London has crashed near Ahmedabad airport. We are working with local authorities to urgently establish the facts and provide support. Our thoughts are with all those — UK in India🇬🇧🇮🇳 (@UKinIndia) June 12, 2025 More to follow


India Gazette
12-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
India-France to hold 8th edition of 'Exercise Shakti' from June 18
New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): The 8th edition of Exercise Shakti, a joint military exercise between India and France, will take place from June 18 to July 1 at La Cavalerie in France. In a post on X, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG-PI) stated that the joint military exercise aims to improve coordination and teamwork between the two armies and prepare for missions in challenging situations. 'Exercise #Shakti 2025, The 8th edition of Exercise #Shakti, a joint military exercise between #India and #France is scheduled from 18 June to 01 July 2025 at #LaCavalerie, #France,' the post reads. 'The aim of the exercise is to enhance joint military capability of both sides to undertake Multi Domain Operations in a Sub Conventional scenario. The joint exercise will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between Armies of both the Nations,' the post further reads. Exercise Shakti is an annual joint military drill conducted by the armies of both nations to enhance interoperability and coordination in tactical operations. Last year, the 7th edition of the India-France Joint Military Exercise 'Shakti' commenced on May 13 at the Joint Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya. The exercise aimed to enhance the joint military capacity of both sides to undertake Multi-Domain Operations in a sub-conventional scenario. According to an official release from the Public Relations Officer (PRO) Defence, Guwahati, the exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 13 to 26 May. The Opening Ceremony of the joint exercise was attended by Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India and Major General Prasanna Sudhakar Joshi, General Officer Commanding 51 Sub Area. Exercise SHAKTI is a biennial training event conducted alternately in India and France. The last edition was conducted in France in November 2021. Indian contingent comprising 90 personnel is being represented primarily by a Battalion of the RAJPUT Regiment besides personnel from other arms and services. Observers from the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force will also form part of the exercise. The French contingent comprising 90 personnel will be represented mainly by personnel from the 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13th DBLE). 'The Aim of Exercise SHAKTI is to enhance the joint military capability of both sides to undertake multi-domain operations in a sub-conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate,' the release added. (ANI)