Question : AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND FRANCE FOR ROAD .

(a) whether India and France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding recently to develop Indian roads;

(b) if so, the nature of assistance likely to be made available by France for the development of Indian roads under the said agreement;

(c) the areas/roads earmarked for assistance under the agreement with France;

(d) whether India has also been asked to help France in any other way in exchange of this assistance; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SURFACE TRANSPORT

(SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) & (c) The Memorandum of Understanding signed in June, 2000 seeks to extend co-operation between the Authorities of the two countries on the issues of mutual interest and to institutionalize a technical and scientific co-operation in the fields of road policy, construction, maintenance and management of roads.

(d) No, Sir.

(e) Does not arise.