Defence sources said that Drian will be in India as part of an official visit to a few other countries including UAE.
He will hold a fresh round of talks with Parrikar just two months after they met and decided to "fast-track" the contract negotiations for the nearly $10-billion deal for Rafale fighter jets.
Sources said the French minister will focus on firming up the deal ahead of an expected visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to France a couple of months from now.
Parrikar had recently said that he would not comment on the Rafale deal as the Contract Negotiations Committee was discussing it.
READ ALSO: Hoping to ink deal with IAF soon, Rafale displays aircraft at Aero India 2015
However, he has asked the CNC to fasten the process. The Indian Air Force Chief has stressed on the need to have a Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft, for which Rafale was shortlisted.
Rafale display on concluding day of the 10th International Aero Show at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on Sunday. (TOI photo: Chethan Shivakumar)
READ ALSO: French officials to visit India to rescue stalled Rafale jet deal
Confident of signing the much delayed contract with India "soon", French Defence major Dassault had last week said its pricing remains the same from day one and it has not wavered from the request for proposal (RPF).
READ ALSO: Original terms have to be met in Rafale jet deal, says Parrikar
It had also said an empowered team has already arrived in India and carried forward the talks as decided by the defence ministers of the two countries in December.
http://ift.tt/19WazO2 Minister,minister,Manohar Parrikar,Indian Air Force
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