Looking forward to focus on sustainable ties with India: French Ambassador

New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) French Ambassador Alexandre Ziegler on Wednesday said that France is looking forward to go beyond strategic ties and focus more on improving the bilateral relationship with India through sustainable development.

"Till date it has been mostly strategic partnerships, defence deals and others. But now, we will be focusing on enhancing bilateral ties in terms of sustainable development and Bonjour India is a step towards that. As France and India relationship shares a decades long history," Ziegler said.

The Ambassador was speaking at an event organised by the French Embassy to announce their upcoming cultural programme Bonjour India which is made in collaboration with ICCR. Returning to India after three years, this four-month long voyage will cover 33 cities and present more than 100 shows.

"We are focusing on wider partnership, effort is to collaboratively encourage sustainable lifestyle, adopt renewable sources of energy. We are strongly committed in contributing towards developing smart cities and involve in 'Make in India' as well. Many tech companies are choosing India for setting up their R&D centres and numbers will go up in coming years," the Ambassador noted.

Bonjour India will showcase Indo-French expertise in innovation, education, research, science and technology, art and culture and this collaboration is another step towards strengthening ties.

"Culture is a wide subject, it is not confined to traditions but also includes technology, economy, academic exchange and many more. So Bonjour India will not only be a cultural extravaganza but will also act as a platform for trade delegations," curator Bonjour India, Bertrand de Hartingh, said.

The first edition of the Bonjour India was held in 2009 and the second edition was organised in 2013. However, the third edition is likely to start from November 18 and conclude in February 2018.