India, France launch dialogue on critical technologies

• India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri co-chaired the third India-France Strategic Space Dialogue, along with the Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Martin Briens in Paris.

• Both sides reviewed progress made since the second India-France Strategic Space Dialogue and discussed the ongoing robust bilateral engagement in the space sector and avenues for further cooperation in the government-to-government (G2G) and commercial segments.

• The previous India-France Strategic Space Dialogue was held in New Delhi in March 2024, when both sides reviewed progress in space cooperation and discussed avenues for further engagement. 

• They also co-chaired the inaugural meeting of India-France Economic Security and Critical Technologies Dialogue.

• This dialogue mechanism was established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France in June 2026. 

• The discussions covered exchanges on supply chain vulnerabilities, critical technologies, cybersecurity and safeguarding strategic supplies. 

• Both sides noted that the dialogue complemented the Innovation Roadmap 2030, India-France Year of Innovation, the existing Economic and Financial Dialogue and the objective of doubling bilateral trade in the next five years. 

• They agreed to work on the priorities identified during the dialogue.

• Bilateral trade between India and France has more than doubled in the last decade to 13.6 billion euros (around $15 billion) in 2025-26. 

• Within the European Union, France is India’s third-largest trading partner, after the Netherlands and Germany.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)