On the sidelines of the fourth India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in New Delhi on Tuesday, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu discussed a range of topics related to the relationship between the two countries.
In addition to global, regional, and bilateral security issues, the two discussed a range of other topics of common interest.
Sources indicate that R&D and manufacturing were given special attention in anticipation of future wars. As part of India’s ‘Make in India’ policy, both sides could strategize together and identify priority areas for co-development.
In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron’s visions, Doval and Lecornu emphasized the importance of an action-oriented and time-bound approach.
To maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, they will focus on cooperation in security-related areas such as space, cyber, and maritime.
Rajnath Singh presented the Guard of Honour to Lecornu on Monday in the national capital.
In a statement, the Defence Ministry said France and India share a close and friendly relationship.
Adding to their close and growing bilateral relationship, the two countries formed a Strategic Partnership in 1998.
India’s goal of strategic autonomy in the defence industry is supported by the two nations’ industrial collaboration on defence and armament projects.
