France to join hands with NIO in marine archaeology: Ambassador Francois Richier

PANAJI: Government of France will collaborate with Goa-based the National Institute of Oceanography to exchange expertise in marine archaeology which is also a part of heritage cooperation decided during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to that country.

"We have been developing cooperation with NIO for more than ten years now. It is very vital cooperation in oceanography, scientific research and others. We intend to take the cooperation further," its Ambassador to India Francois Richier said here today.

Richier, who recently met NIO officials in Goa, said the cooperation will cover areas like tropical cyclones in Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and maritime archaeology, which will involve number of scientists doing common research.

"It is something which is boost for cooperation between France and India," the diplomat said, adding that maritime archaeology will be one of the focus areas, which will involve learning of history through important wreckages.

"Maritime archaeology requires specific means, particularly in the diving area. We lack the capacity to dive in particular depth. The expertise is with NIO," he said.

Richier said the Indian institute has the requisite experience in maritime archaeology.

"They have experience in maritime archaeology. They have found some pieces which are dating 2000-years back. They have found stones and coins. There is a lot to discover off the coast of India from very ancient times down to the 19th century," he said.

Richier said any period wreckage gives the idea of life during that time.

"The technology of taking away sand, while keeping integrity of sand needs to be developed. When it is developed it will be very useful. We have already worked together in archaeological domain," he said.

It is also the part of the heritage cooperation which was decided during the visit of Modi, the Ambassador said, adding, the idea is to work on a technique and subsequently to see whether both the nations can work on one particular wreck.

"We can even join Indian team off the coast of India," he added.