Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "diplomacy reflecting both a sense of proportion and a strong determination", Hollande said India and France are "united in their determination to act together against terrorism", news agency PTI reported.
Seven security personnel were killed by suspected Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists in a three-day siege at the air force base in Punjab's Pathankot near the India-Pakistan border.
On the multi-billion dollar Rafale buyout, the French president said the deal is on the "right track" but agreement on the technicalities might take more time.
The final contract for the 36 aircraft, including its missile system and others, for which an agreement was arrived at during Modi's visit last year, is expected to cost around Rs 60,000 crore.
Hollande will reach Chandigarh on Sunday for his three-day India visit, during which he will also be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade. Modi will receive him in the 'City Beautiful', where they will also attend a business summit and visit various landmarks.
Hollande will be the fifth French leader to be a the chief guest on January 26, the maximum number from any country so far. Earlier, leaders from that country had graced the occasion in 1976, 1980, 1998 and 2008.
Significantly, it is also the first time that French soldiers will march down Rajpath on Republic Day along with Indian troops.
Heavy security has been deployed in Chandigarh, which, incidentally, was designed by Swiss-French architect Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris, also known as Le Corbusier in the 1950s and 1960s.
Modi will accompany the French leader during the sightseeing to most frequented tourist spots -- Rock Garden, Capitol Complex, and Government Museum and Art Gallery - in Chandigarh. Later in the evening, the two leaders will fly separately to Delhi.
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