New Delhi, Apr 13 (UNI) India and France on Tuesday resolved to advance their collaboration in a Covid-impacted world in diverse sectors such as trade and investments, defence and security, energy and climate change.
Visiting Foreign Minister of France Jean-Yves Le Drian had "substantive" talks with External Affairs Minister S J aishankar during which both recognised the immense opportunities exist for greater collaboration.
The talks took place ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's
participation in the India-EU summit at Porto next month and his visit to Paris.
"To tap the full potential of bilateral trade and economic relations, both sides recognised the importance of fast tracking the discussions on an India-EU trade and investment agreement," said the MEA in a statement.
Bilateral trade with France has witnessed a steady rise in the last decade reaching USD 10.75 billion in 2020.
Jaishankar and Le Drian also discussed on a number of regional and global issues of mutual interest, reiterating their shared commitment to a multipolar world and faith in multilateralism.
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), " MEA said.
IPOI was proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the East Asia Summit in November 2019.
UNI SRJ JAL 2026