India-France

As France and India celebrate the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership, now is the time to show "even greater ambition", French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on Friday, and asserted that over the next decades, Paris will continue to stand "side by side, shoulder to shoulder" with New Delhi. She said this in her address at the launch of an India-wide artist residency programme -- "Villa Swagatam" -- in the charming lawns of the French Institute in India here this evening. Colonna, the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is visiting India from March 1-3. "I am delighted and privileged to be in India for the second time in six months as the Minister for Foreign Affairs. It is a privilege to share this moment with you this evening as we are about to launch an initiative that embodies the very philosophy of our bilateral partnership," she said and unveiled "Villa Swagatam". Cultural policy is in the "DNA of our diplomacy", and at the "very core of our ..

India has called for greater cooperation with France in the field of clean energy and highlighted Delhi's plans for green transitioning to EVs and hydrogen energy.

India and France on Monday carried out a comprehensive review of their cooperation in the areas of nuclear energy, trade and people-to-people exchanges among others. The two sides took stock of the cooperation during talks between Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Secretary-General of the French Foreign Ministry Anne-Marie Descotes in Paris. Kwatra is on a visit to France from February 5 to 7. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the two sides also discussed global and regional issues including climate change and energy transition. It said they also exchanged views on topical issues such as India's G20 Presidency, the conflict in Ukraine and the security situation in Afghanistan. "Both sides reviewed progress on key areas of bilateral cooperation, including on the various institutional dialogue mechanisms between the two countries, civil nuclear domain, on cooperation vis-a-vis the UNSC given the end of India's term, and the people-to-people and cultural sphere," it

India, France and the United Arab Emirates on Saturday unveiled an ambitious roadmap for cooperation in a plethora of areas including defence, energy and technology under a trilateral framework, a move that comes amid the geopolitical turmoil triggered by the conflict in Ukraine. The plan was finalised during a phone conversation among External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, his French counterpart Catherine Colonna and UAE's Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. A joint statement said it was acknowledged that defence is an area of close cooperation between the three countries. "Therefore, efforts will be undertaken to further promote compatibility, and joint development and co-production, whilst seeking out avenues for further collaboration and training between the three countries' defence forces," it said. India, France and the UAE also agreed to boost cooperation in food security and circular economy and vowed to focus on key issues such as single-use plastic pollution and ...

French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain has said his country wants to be a partner in the process of building a national industrial base for defence industries in India. Talking to reporters on Saturday on board French aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle which took part in the Indo-French naval exercise 'Varuna' off the Goa coast, Lenain said the two countries can co-produce lot of equipment for the defence and space sectors. France is committed to making available the best technologies to Indian forces without restrictions, he said. Lenain said France has really understood the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India). We understand that also because we are a highly independent country and we have been through that process also. We want to be a partner in the process to build a national industrial base for defence industries in India, he said. When India is looking to diversify its suppliers, France is a great option, the envoy said. Lenain said his country is committed to

Initiated in 1993, the exercise was christened 'Varuna' in 2001 and has become "a hallmark of IndiaFrance strategic bilateral relationship"

France's adviser Emmanuel Bonne and India's Ajit Doval have talked from Russia- Ukraine war, India-China border standoff and transfer of cutting edge military tech under the Atmanirbhar Bharat

Preparations for an expected visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to India, situation arising out of the Ukraine conflict and ways to expand bilateral defence cooperation figured prominently during a fresh round of strategic dialogue between the two sides on Thursday, people familiar with the matter said. The two sides are working on the dates for Macron's visit even as it emerged that French fighter Rafale was much ahead of American F/A-18 Super Hornet in the multi-billion dollar contract to supply 26 deck-based jets to the Indian Navy. There was a report in the French media on Thursday indicating that the deal could be inked during Macron's visit to India. Last year, the Indian Navy carried out detailed evaluation of the two jets and submitted a report to the defence ministry for a final decision. "The two sides are exploring a visit by President Macron to India around March. But dates are yet to be finalised," said one of the people cited above, adding it figured in the ...

France and India established a strategic partnership in 1998, which has since grown continuously in scope and depth

India and France are expected to take stock of their overall security cooperation during a high-level dialogue on Thursday. The two sides will deliberate on wide-ranging bilateral and global issues at the 36th India-France strategic dialogue, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). "Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor will lead the Indian delegation while the French delegation will be led by Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the French President," the MEA said. "The two sides will hold discussions on wide-ranging bilateral and global issues. Bonne will also call on other Indian dignitaries," it said in a statement. The last edition of the strategic dialogue was held in November 2021 in Paris.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed ongoing defence cooperation and further opportunities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat policy

Defence Minister Rajanth Singh and his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu held the fourth India-France Annual Defence Dialogue here on Monday and the two leaders shared the commitment to work together on enhancing cooperation in bilateral, regional and multilateral fora, with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region. Singh said the discussions were "warm and fruitful". Singh and Lecornu co-chaired the annual defence dialogue. This is Lecornu's first visit to India as Minister of Armed Forces of the French Republic. Singh held the "Fourth India-France Annual Defence Dialogue with Minister of Armed Forces of the French Republic Sebastien Lecornu in New Delhi today. The meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere. A wide range of bilateral, regional, defence and defence industrial cooperation issues were discussed in the dialogue," the defence ministry here said in a statement. They also discussed means to "strengthen maritime cooperation" and increase the scope and complexity of bilate

The French firm Dassault Aviation is also involved in the maintenance of the aircraft whose serviceability is over 75%

Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Monday held wide-ranging talks with his French counterpart Gen Stephane Mille focusing on ways to boost bilateral military cooperation in the backdrop of various geopolitical developments. The top-ranking French military official is on a visit to India. "General Stphane Mille, Chief of Staff of the French Air & Space Force called on Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, #CAS at Air HQ, New Delhi today. The two Chiefs discussed ways & means to enhance bilateral ties & strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest," the Indian Air Force (IAF) tweeted. It is learnt that the overall situation in the Indo-Pacific as well as the Indian Ocean Region figured in the talks between Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari and Gen Mille. The visit by Gen Mile came amid an 18-day military exercise between the Indian and French air forces in Jodhpur. The 'Garuda VII' exercise, involving a significant number of combat jets such as Rafale, Tejas, ...

France wants to be India's "best partner" in boosting its defence manufacturing and has decided to share the best technologies and equipment in sync with the growing "trust" between the two sides, French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain has said. Without divulging specific details, the envoy said French and Indian companies are working together on "equipment of the future", platforms and engines. "I do not think any country provides India with the same level of technology. The progress is also due to the fact that we recognise that India wants to boost its strategic autonomy, wants to build its industrial base and we want to be India's best partner in this move," he told PTI. Indo-French strategic ties have been on a major upswing after India inked an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for the procurement of 36 Rafale jets at a cost of around Rs 59,000 crore. "Defence has always been a very strong component of our cooperation because there is a lot of trust betwee

Russia's war in Ukraine is a "naked aggression" without any provocation and France and India are working together to mitigate the consequences of the conflict including global food and energy security, French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain said. In an interview to PTI, the envoy said France strongly condemned Russia's illegal annexation of four Ukrainian regions and described it as a serious violation of both international law and Ukraine's sovereignty. Welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent call to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the conflict, the envoy said leaders of both India and France are working together to convince Moscow to return to the negotiating table. "We feel that Putin wants to return to the time of imperialism and that's exactly what we want to avoid in Europe and anywhere else in the world, especially in this region where I am talking," he said. "In the Indo-Pacific too, we do not want this, and I am sure India does not want any neighbour to encroach

The Ministerial level meet will also focus on stronger ties with the ASEAN bloc to counter Chinese influence, officials said

For France, which is still reeling from Australia's cancellation of a $90-bn order for Shortfin Barracuda conventional submarines, India offers an irresistible strategic opportunity

India has not condemned Russia's February invasion of Ukraine, instead calling for negotiations and peace

France wants the number of Indian students in the country to rise to 20,000 by 2025, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on Wednesday. Colonna is currently on a three-day visit to India. "We want the number of Indian students to rise up to 20,000 by 2025. I know it's an ambitious target, but I also know that between India and France, sky is the limit," she said during an interaction with students at the Lady Shri Ram College here. The French minister stressed that gender balance was a necessity in the field of education. "Much has changed when it comes to gender balance but we are still not there yet," she said. As part of her official visit from September 13-15, Colonna will travel to Mumbai for engagements with industry leaders and site visits on Thursday. She will also hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on September 14 "on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest".