Paris, Sept.30 The social security agreement inked between India and France will benefit Indian nationals working in France and French nationals working in India.

Under the agreement, workers on short term contracts of upto five years, do not have to make any social security contribution in the country of employment provided they continue to make social security payments in India and France.

These benefits shall be available even when the Indian company sends its employees to France from a third country. Indian workers shall also be entitled to the export of social security benefits if they relocate to India after the completion of their service from France.

Self-employed Indians in France would also be entitled to the export of their social security benefits if relocated to India.

The period of contribution in the second contracting state for determining the eligibility for social security benefits.

The bilateral agreements provides for a tantalization of the insurance period pertaining to both countries for determination of entitlements to benefits.

Negotiations are currently on for the conclusion of a similar agreement with Switzerland.

Discussions are also scheduled with Norway and sweden in the next few days.

India has already signed a social security agreement with Belgium.

The Indian Government has also approved the signing of similar agreements with Germany, The Netherlands,Oman and Bahrain. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)