At the conclusion of a hugely successful visit by the Indian Prime Minister to France over the weekend, both countries reiterated their commitment to a free, open, inclusive, secure and peaceful Indo-Pacific region and agreed to seek to secure economic and security interests and build a balanced and stable order in the region.
India and France released the India-France Indo-Pacific Roadmap, which notes: "The Indo-French partnership in the Indian Ocean has become an important focus of our bilateral relations. In 2018, India and France agreed on a ‘Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region’. We are now ready to extend our joint efforts to the Pacific.
"Our two countries believe in a free, open, inclusive, secure and peaceful Indo-Pacific region. Our cooperation seeks to secure our own economic and security interests; ensure equal and free access to global commons; build partnerships of prosperity and sustainability in the region; advance the rule of international law; and, working with others in the region and beyond, build a balanced and stable order in the region, with respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity."
According to the statement, PM Modi's vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and French President Emmanuel Macron's vision of security and cooperation outlined in the Indo-Pacific strategy is "very much aligned." It further said that the cooperation between India and France is "comprehensive" and covers defence, security, economic, connectivity, infrastructure, sustainability and human-centric development.
The statement said: "Our bilateral cooperation advances our mutual security and supports peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Our cooperation extends from seabed to space. We will continue to deepen our exchanges, cooperate on situational and domain awareness, intensify maritime cooperation across the region such as the one we conduct in the South West Indian Ocean Region in liaison with partner countries in the region."
India and France will increase naval visits and develop defence industrial capabilities in India and jointly support the needs of other nations, according to the statement. The two nations announced that they will continue to develop comprehensive cooperation including the French overseas territories of La Reunion, New Caledonia and French Polynesia and in coordination with other countries in the region and beyond.
During his visit as Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with French President at Elysee Palace. The discussions between the two leaders covered a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation including defence, space, civil nuclear, science & technology, trade and investment, energy, climate action, culture and people-to-people ties.
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The Indian PM’s visit coincided with India and France celebrating 25 years of strategic partnership.
(ANI)
