Rafale symbol of strong bonds: BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad to French team

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday told a visiting French senate delegation that Rafale fighter jets were a symbol of strong bonds between the two countries.

The delegation expressed solidarity with India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack and backed New Delhi's fight against terrorist groups. The delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces of the French Senate, led by Vice Chair Catherine Dumas, met the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs chaired by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.

The delegation's visit was planned before the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Tharoor said, adding: "The French visitors unequivocally expressed support for India... They used the French word 'soutien' which means support and that was very welcome."

Tharoor introduced Prasad to the delegation. The BJP MP is leading a multi-party team to France and some Western European countries. Prasad told the French delegation that the Rafale jets, supplied by France to India, were a symbol of strong bonds of friendship between the two countries.