India, France discuss strategic cooperation, maritime challenges to strengthen Indo-Pacific ties

Foreign Minister of France Jean-Yves Le Drian and External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar held bilateral talks on Tuesday.

India and France have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen strategic cooperation. Foreign Minister of France Jean-Yves Le Drian and External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar held bilateral talks on Tuesday where both sides discussed a number of regional and global issues of mutual interest reiterating their shared commitment. “They explored ways to strengthen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, including the India-France-Australia Trilateral mechanism, addressing emerging challenges in the maritime and space domains and working together in the area of climate action and biodiversity protection." "In this regard, India welcomes France’s decision to take up the 'Maritime Resources' pillar of India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI),” a statement issued by the MEA said.