India is preparing for the first test of an electric propulsion technology that will help shrink the size of its rockets and increase the life and payload capacity of its satellites.

India is likely to sign an agreement with France to buy 36 Rafale fighter aircraft off the shelf during a visit here by French President Francois Hollande in January.

India is hoping to soon activate its newest satellite tracker in Vietnam, which will help monitor satellites launched from India and receive data from them.