India, France review expanding strategic ties at Foreign Office Consultations in Paris
Paris, April 14. India and France carried out a comprehensive review of their deepening bilateral partnership during Foreign Office Consultations held in Paris on April 13 underscoring the momentum in ties following the recent elevation of relations to a Special Global Strategic Partnership.
The consultations were co-chaired by India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Martin Briens. During the visit, Misri also called on France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot and met Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the French President Emmanuel Macron.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, both sides assessed progress across multiple pillars of the bilateral relationship, particularly in the context of the enhanced strategic framework and Macron’s visit to India in February this year. Officials reviewed key deliverables such as the India-France Year of Innovation, growing cooperation on economic security, and efforts to increase the crossflow of STEM talent, including encouraging more Indian students to pursue education in France. They also reaffirmed their shared goal of doubling bilateral trade, especially in light of the conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
The discussions covered a broad spectrum of strategic cooperation, including defence, civil nuclear energy, space, cyber and digital technologies, and artificial intelligence. The two sides also reviewed institutional dialogue mechanisms and initiatives aimed at strengthening people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
Global and regional issues also featured prominently in the talks. India and France exchanged views on cooperation in climate action, environmental protection, and health, as well as developments in the Indo-Pacific. They discussed ongoing trilateral dialogues and prospects for joint development projects in third countries, alongside assessments of the evolving situations in West Asia and Ukraine.
Misri and Briens agreed to meet again later this year for the Strategic Space Dialogue, signalling continued momentum in high-technology cooperation between the two countries.
