Paris: India and France have formalised the setting up of an Indo-French Research Forum to transform their buyer-seller relation into one of collaboration and co- production in Defence fields.

"The terms and conditions of the forum have been finalised at the three-day fifth meeting of the Indo-French High Committee on Defence," a spokesman of Indian delegation, headed by Defence Secretary Subir Dutta, said on November 9.

The Committee on Defence was set up in 1998 following the visit to India of French President Jacques Chirac.

Describing the discussions, which have concluded as "open" and "candid", the spokesman said that there was large identity of views on several issues. "The spirit at the discussions was very positive," he said.

The delegation also visited the DCN International submarine lines and held talks on reopening submarine assembly lines at Mazagaon docks in Mumbai. "But the negotiation for submarines have not been finalised," the spokesman said.

India, as part of its new 30-year submarine building plans, is seeking to build six Scorpene SSK class submarines at Mazagaon docks near Mumbai, keeping the option open for building more of these submarines.

Scorpene is a medium-sized new generation submarine developed jointly by the French DCN International and Izar of Spain. The submarine combines a new generation combat system and integrated platform management system making the design ideal for mission ranging from anti-surface warfare as well as anti-submarine warfare to special operations and Intelligence gathering.

PTI