India-France Foreign Office Consultations held in Paris yesterday, which was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and the Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Martin Briens. External Affairs Ministry in a statement said that during the meeting, both sides undertook a comprehensive review of the progress made in various facets of the bilateral relationship, especially in context of the elevation of ties to Special Global Strategic Partnership. It said that the two sides also reviewed key deliverables, including the India-France Year of Innovation, cooperation on economic security, and the goal of doubling bilateral trade, especially in light of the conclusion of negotiations of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.

The discussions between them also covered strategic areas of bilateral cooperation, including defence, civil nuclear energy, space, cyber and digital, AI, institutional dialogue mechanisms, and initiatives fostering people-to-people exchanges and cultural ties. The Ministry added that the two sides also exchanged views on global issues such as cooperation in the environment, climate change and health. Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, trilateral dialogues, and joint development projects in third countries, as well as developments in West Asia and Ukraine, were also discussed during the meeting.

During the visit to Paris, the Foreign Secretary also called on Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Noël Barrot, and also met Diplomatic Advisor to the President of France Emmanuel Bonne.