National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met with the visiting Diplomatic Adviser to the French President, Emmanuel Bonne, on Thursday. They reaffirmed their commitment to advancing their strategic partnership to ensure peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific, based on shared beliefs in a rules-based international order and strategic autonomy.
During the meeting, they discussed the situation in Afghanistan, Africa, South East Asia, Eurasia, as well as third country cooperation, and collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, nuclear energy, space, and cyber domains.
A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs emphasized the commitment of India and France to advancing their strategic partnership for peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific. They also discussed the global security environment and expanding defense cooperation to include the co-development of futuristic technologies in line with India’s priorities of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral defense and security cooperation, particularly in the South West Indian Ocean Region and the Indo-Pacific. They also discussed the pursuit of new initiatives in critical and emerging technologies.
In light of the uncertain and volatile global security environment, both India and France reiterated the need for closer cooperation, including in the UNSC and other multilateral forums.
The French Embassy in India stated that the discussions included aspects of the Indo-French strategic partnership such as defense and security cooperation, major international and regional issues, counter-terrorism cooperation, cyber-security, space, and civil nuclear energy.
Doval and Bonne, who is also the G7 and G20 Sherpa from the French government, agreed to elevate the level of bilateral cooperation with the goal of accelerating efforts towards strategic autonomy.
Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor and G7/G20 Sherpa to the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, visited India on 5 January for the 36th session of the Indo-French Strategic Dialogue. The visit aimed to pave the way for an ambitious expansion of the Indo-French strategic partnership as it marks its 25th anniversary this year.
Bonne also met with Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, as well as G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant. After their meeting, Jaishankar tweeted, “Glad to meet Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of France. Useful exchange of views on current issues of mutual interest.”
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