The 7th India-France Maritime Cooperation Dialogue was held in New Delhi last week. 

Highlights of the meeting:

• Both sides discussed enhancing their cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region and reaffirmed their shared vision for maritime security, a key element of the India-France Strategic Partnership.

• India and France agreed to develop a joint assessment of the threats to maritime security in the region; to counter illicit maritime activities, including piracy and armed robbery, maritime terrorism, contraband smuggling, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing; hybrid as well as cyber security threats and marine pollution.

• India and France committed to mutually support each other in maritime security engagements and constructs.

• As part of their joint commitment towards the conservation of biodiversity and the protection of oceans, India and France also agreed to preserve marine resources in the Indian Ocean Region, through the United Nations Ocean Conference. 

• Both countries welcomed the progress made on biodiversity and blue economy during the last bilateral dialogue on blue economy and ocean governance, and agreed to pursue cooperation at the regional level, as members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

India-France Bilateral Relations

• India and France have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations and share a deep and enduring ‘Strategic Partnership’ covering all aspects of bilateral cooperation which involves a strategic component.

• Launched on January 26, 1998, India’s first-ever Strategic Partnership, embodied the core vision of both the countries to enhance their respective strategic independence by drawing upon a strong and enhanced bilateral cooperation. 

• Defence and security, civil nuclear matters and space constitute the principal pillars of this strategic cooperation and now includes a strong Indo-Pacific component. 

• In recent years the partnership has broadened to include maritime security, digitalisation, cyber security and advanced computing, counter terrorism, climate change, renewable and sustainable growth and development among others.

• The core of the India-France long-standing partnership is underpinned by our shared democratic values, belief in multilateralism as a means to tackle global challenges, respect for international law, strong economic, cultural academic, and people-to-people ties.

• India and France have a strong and robust defence partnership. Major ongoing defence-related projects include the purchase of Rafale aircrafts and the P-75 Scorpene Project. Other potential new areas of collaboration being pursued are co-development of next generation engines for fighter planes. 

• India France joint defence exercises have grown in scope and complexity over the years.

• Both countries have a rich history of cooperation in the field of space for over 50 years between ISRO and the French Space Agency. France remains a major supplier of components and equipment for the Indian space programme.

• India and France have a Cyber Dialogue mechanism to discuss cyber cooperation and related matters. 

• France is one of the largest investors in India with FDI inflow of $659.77 million for FY 2022-23 and a cumulative FDI stock of $10.76 billion from April 2000 to September 2023. 

• There are over 70 Indian companies employing over 8,000 employees in France. There are over 750 French companies invested in India employing over 450,000 people. 

• For FY 2023-24, Indian exports to France totaled $3.06 billion and imports from France totaled $2.36 billion. 

• India’s main exports to France include engineering goods including electrical machinery and boilers, petroleum products, pharmaceutical products, electronic equipment and ready made garment.

• Main imports from France are aviation products, machine equipment, electrical equipment and chemical products.

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