India and France agreed to expand their partnership ties in cutting-edge technology industries. This decision was announced by the Ministry of External Affairs, and it was discussed during the latest India-France Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in Paris on the 21st of January.
Vikram Misri, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs from India, alongside his counterpart Anne-Marie Descôtes for Europe and Foreign Affairs from France, co-chaired this FOC. In their meeting, they were able to comprehensively review the ‘Horizon 2047 Roadmap’ and consider areas of cooperation which included defense, civil nuclear energy, space, cyber and digital technologies, and even artificial intelligence.
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is set to visit Paris for the AI Action Summit on 10-11th February that will be moderated by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. This visit is expected to strengthen the collaborative vision during the consultations.
Other important discussions included identifying methods to improve cultural exchange, tourism, and political and institutional dialogue. Also, new action plans related to climate change, cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, and joint development work in third countries were discussed and prioritized.
Foreign Secretary Misri also engaged with French leaders, including Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot and Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Adviser to President Macron. Additionally, a meeting of the India-France Special Task Force on Civil Nuclear Energy underscored the nation’s commitment to sustainable energy collaboration.
Maritime security was another critical focus. At the 7th India-France Maritime Cooperation Dialogue in New Delhi on January 14, both sides agreed on joint assessments of regional threats, including piracy, armed robbery, and illegal fishing. Plans for coordinated surveillance and enhanced cooperation in the Indian Ocean region were outlined.
France, with its strategic bases in the Indian Ocean, remains a key partner for India in maintaining regional stability and advancing technological progress.
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