National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of France co-chaired the annual India-France Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi on January 05, 2023. Photo Credit: Ministry of External Affairs
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Thursday held the 36th round of India-France Strategic Dialogue with his French counterpart Emmanuel Bonne. Mr Bonne’s visit was the first major diplomatic visit of the new year, and according to a statement from the French Embassy in India, the two participants agreed to intensify efforts “towards strategic autonomy”.
“Both sides discussed a variety of issues, including the current global security situation in the context of the conflict in Ukraine, regional security in the context of Afghanistan, counter-terrorism, cyber security, defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. besides other issues of mutual concern,” said Arindam Bagchi, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). During his day-long visit, Bone also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Ministry of External Affairs said PM Modi and Mr Boneh discussed areas such as “energy and culture”.
“The agenda covered all aspects of the India-France strategic partnership: defense and security cooperation,” said a statement from the Embassy of France.
India is close to deciding on fighter jets to fly from the Navy’s aircraft carriers, with Boeing’s F-18 Super Hornet and Dassault Aviation’s Rafale-M in the race. According to official sources, a decision is expected soon to buy 26 jets, in which Rafale has an edge. In addition, France’s Safran is competing with other global engine makers to develop a fighter jet engine with the Defense Research and Development Organisation.
Mr. Bonne, who is the diplomatic advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron and G-7/G-20 Sherpa, also called on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. In a message after the meeting, French Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain said, “The discussion showed how close our views are on all major international issues and that the France-India strategic partnership is important to address the pressing challenges of 2023.” ”
The French Embassy said the visiting guest conveyed France’s “full support” for India’s G20 presidency. The French statement emphasized that the strategic partnership with India is based on “extraordinary mutual trust, shared democratic values and a joint vision for a multipolar, rules-based world order”. The Ministry of External Affairs said, Prime Minister Modi “welcomed France’s support for India’s G-20 Presidency”.