The Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) on March 5, 2024, in New Delhi, chaired by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Anne-Marie Descôtes,assessed the progress made since the first India-France Strategic Space Dialogue held in Paris on June 26, 2023.
India and France also reviewed the progress outlined in the India-France Horizon 2047 Roadmap.
The two have discussed the ongoing "robust" bilateral engagement in the space sector and avenues for further cooperation in the government-to-government and commercial segments during the second India-France Strategic Space Dialogue.
Both sides also discussed the implementation of the recently signed Letter of Intent on Defence Space Cooperation, capacity building and training, space exchanges, and defence space industrial cooperation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
Moreover, the dialogue extended to global and regional affairs, with discussions on Indo-Pacific dynamics, climate action, energy transition, and health. Both nations reiterated their commitment to addressing key challenges, including the situation in Gaza, the Red Sea, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The India-France Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) were also held on Monday, co-chaired by the two leaders.
Preceding the FOC, the 2nd meeting of the Strategic Space Dialogue and the India-France ‘Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Dialogue’ were held on March 4, 2024. These dialogues further underscored the depth of cooperation between India and France in various strategic domains.
In addition to the official engagements, Ms. Descôtes paid a courtesy call on the External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, further cementing the diplomatic ties between the two countries.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a post on X on Monday, "Good to receive Secretary General Anne-Marie Descotes of France this morning. Our strategic partnership is growing from strength to strength. I am confident that the Foreign Office Consultations and Strategic Space Dialogue will further enhance its momentum."
Overall, the India-France Foreign Office Consultations signify a significant step towards strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two nations. By reaffirming their commitment to shared goals and priorities, India and France pave the way for a brighter future of collaboration and mutual prosperity.
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