18 Sep :The French Government has conferred its highest civilian award Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur on Mahindra and Mahindra Executive Director Arun Nanda for his company’s contribution to strengthening India’s business and cultural ties with France.
The award the Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour was presented to Mr Nanda by visiting French Minister of State for Foreign Trade Anne-Marie Idrac at the French Embassy in New Delhi on Tuesday evening.
”The two countries, with common democratic values, have common role to play, be the question of nuclear energy or food security,” Ms Idrac said.
She said a lot was expected from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to France later this month.The two countries are expected to sign a civil nuclear cooperation agreement during the PM’s visit to Paris on 29th and 30th September when he will attend the India-EU Summit and the bilateral India-France Summit.
Mr Nanda recalled his long association with France and thanked the French Government for bestowing the honour on him.French Ambassador to India Jrme Bonnafont said the award was in recognition of Mr Nanda’s remarkable career in the business community in Mumbai and of the part he took in the establishment of partnership between Mahindra and Renault (a French company).
But above all, it was his performance as President of theFRIndo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry that the award was given to him, Mr Bonnafont said.