India and France hold 36th Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi

New Delhi: India and France held the 36th Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, while the French delegation was led by French President Emmanuel Macron's diplomatic advisor Emmanuel Bonne.

Briefing media in New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India and France held discussions on various issues including the current global security situation in the context of the conflict of Ukraine, regional security in the context of Afghanistan, counter-terrorism, defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and cyber security.

During the Strategic Dialogue and the meetings, India and France reiterated their commitment to take forward their strategic partnership to ensure peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific based on common beliefs in the rules-based international order and strategic autonomy.

The two sides discussed the global security environment, expanding the scope of defence cooperation to include the co-development of futuristic technologies in line with India's priorities of Make in India and Atma Nirbhar Bharat.

The agenda included discussions on the situation in Afghanistan, Africa, South East Asia, Eurasia; Third Country Cooperation; cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, nuclear energy, space and cyber domains.

Both sides also agreed to strengthen bilateral defence and security cooperation including in the South West Indian Ocean Region and the Indo-Pacific and pursuit of new initiatives in critical and emerging technologies.

Both sides reiterated that given the emerging uncertainties and volatile global security environment, there was a need for closer cooperation between India and France, including in the UNSC and other multilateral forums.

Emmanuel Bonne called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Mr Bonne conveyed President Emmanuel Macron’s message of friendship to the Prime Minister and briefed him on the Strategic Dialogue with NSA, Ajit Doval, held earlier during the day.

The Prime Minister highlighted the close cooperation between India and France in various domains of their Strategic Partnership including defence, security, and the Indo-Pacific. The Prime Minister welcomed France’s support for India’s G20 Presidency.

The Prime Minister fondly recalled his recent meeting with President Macron in Bali and conveyed his invitation to President Macron to visit India. Mr Bonne said President Macron looks forward to his early visit to India.