- National Security Adviser (NSA) AjitDoval on Thursday held the 36th round of the Indo-French 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 Embassy of France in India, both participants agreed to intensify efforts “towards strategic autonomy”.
- “The two sides held discussions on 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, cybersecurity, defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, besides other issues of mutual concern,” the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, said. During his day-long visit, Mr. Bonne also met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- “The agenda covered all aspects of the Indo-French strategic partnership: defence and security cooperation,” the statement from the Embassy of France said.
- India is close to taking a decision on a fighter jet to fly off the Navy’s aircraft carriers, for which Boeing’s F-18 Super Hornet and Dassault Aviation’s Rafael-M are in the race.
- A decision is expected shortly for procuring 26 jets, in which Rafale has an edge, according to official sources.
Tackling challenges
- In addition, Safran of France is competing with other global engine manufacturers to co-develop a fighter jet engine with the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
- Bonne, who is the Diplomatic Adviser and G-7/G-20 Sherpa to French President Emmanuel Macron, also met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
- “The discussions showed how close our views are on all major international issues and how the France-India strategic partnership is key to tackling the pressing challenges of 2023,” France’s Ambassador to India, Emmanuel Lenain, said in a message after the meeting.
- The Embassy of France said that the visiting guest conveyed France’s “full support” for India’s G-20 Presidency. The French statement emphasised that the strategic partnership with India is based on “exceptional mutual trust, shared democratic values and a joint vision for a multipolar, rules-based world order”.
SOURCE: THE HINDU, THE ECONOMIC TIMES, PIB