Ahead of PM’s visit, India, France agree to expand ties in high-end technology sectors

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Paris, India and France have agreed to expand bilateral partnership in areas of high-end technology, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.

It was describing the outcome of the India-France Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) conducted in Paris on Monday. The FOC was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Anne-Marie Descôtes.

The talks took place ahead of Modi’s expected visit to Paris on February 10-11 for the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. Both sides conducted a comprehensive review of progress under the India-France ‘Horizon 2047 Roadmap’, focusing on key areas of bilateral cooperation such as defence, civil nuclear energy, space, cyber and digital technologies and artificial intelligence, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

They also discussed institutional dialogue mechanisms, initiatives to enhance people-to-people exchanges and cultural ties. Climate change, cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and joint development projects in third countries were also on the agenda.

Misri also called on Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, and Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Adviser to the President of French Republic. A meeting of India-France Special Task Force on Civil Nuclear Energy was also held.

Meanwhile, New Delhi announced that the two countries have agreed to develop a joint assessment of threats to tackle maritime security in the region.

“This would include countering piracy and armed robbery, maritime terrorism, contraband smuggling and illegal fishing,” the MEA said.

This was decided at the 7th India-France maritime cooperation dialogue held in New Delhi on January 14. It was co-chaired Deputy National Security Adviser Pavan Kapoor and Director General for International Relations and Strategy, Ministry for the Armed Forces, France, Alice Rufo.

The MEA said both sides would “explore opportunities for coordinated surveillance deployed to counter threats to maritime security in the region”.

It has been agreed to strengthen existing mechanisms of cooperation. France is major player in the Indian Ocean and has bases where its assets are stationed.