India and France Strengthen Maritime Security Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

National

In January 2025, India and France strengthened their maritime security cooperation to ensure peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This was achieved through the 7th India-France Maritime Cooperation Dialogue, which took place in New Delhi.


      - The meeting was co-chaired by Pavan Kapoor, Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA) of India, and Alice Rufo, Director General for International Relations and Strategy of the French Ministry for the Armed Forces.

      - As part of the discussions, both nations agreed to collaborate on developing an analysis of maritime security threats in the IOR. This will focus on preventing illegal maritime activities, including piracy, armed robbery, maritime terrorism, contraband smuggling, and unsustainable fishing practices.

      - India and France committed to ensuring secure access to sea lanes of communication by collaborating through maritime assets like the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region in Gurugram, the Regional Coordination Operations Centre in Seychelles, and the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre in Madagascar.

Main Point :-   (i) India assumed the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in 2025, marking an important milestone in its engagement with countries in the region. As part of this role, India and France will continue to prioritize the region’s security and stability.

      (ii) India and France expanded their bilateral partnership in high-end technologies, focusing on areas such as defence, civil nuclear energy, space, cybersecurity, digital technology, and artificial intelligence (AI), while also strengthening people-to-people exchanges and cultural ties.

(iii) The two countries reviewed progress on the India-France 'Horizon 2047 roadmap,' discussed cooperation on climate change, Indo-Pacific security, and joint development projects in third countries.
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President: Emmanuel Macron
PM : François Bayrou
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