India-France Reviews ‘Multi-Faceted Cooperation’
On 29th June 2020 India-France Foreign Secretary-level consultation were held where they exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, and on the COVID-19 pandemic and reviewed the progress of their ‘multi-faceted cooperation’ the External Affairs Ministry said in the press release.
Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Secretary-General of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, François Delattre, was at the consultation via a video link, the ministry said in a statement
During the meeting India welcomed France’s joining of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York on the sidelines of UNGA last year. France, which backed India-led International Solar Alliance, supported this initiative as well
France also welcomed India’s participation in the UN Security Council in 2021-22.
India, along with Mexico, Norway, and Ireland, were elected to the Security Council on June 17. They will serve in the council as non-permanent members for two years, starting from 1st January.
Separately on Monday, France Defence Minister Florence Parly wrote a letter to Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, condoling the death of 20 Indian soldiers near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Galwan Valley, French diplomatic sources said.
According to the Diplomatic sources France Defence Minister Florence Parly writes “In these difficult circumstances, I wish to express my steadfast and friendly support, along with that of the French armed forces. I request you to kindly convey my heartfelt condolences to the entire Indian armed forces as well as to the grieving families,”
The clash at patrolling point 14, occurred when China attempted to unilaterally change the status quo there. Twenty Indian Army personnel, including a commanding officer (CO), were martyred in a fierce clash with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley on 15th June.
Old Friends
India and France have excellent bilateral ties, which are reinforced by a shared vision to cooperate for further enhancing peace and prosperity for the two countries and the world at large. The strong strategic and economic partnership stands out.
France has supported India in every sector —from a nuclear test in 1998 during the Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, defence to a UNSC listing of Masood Azhar after the Pulwama attack, New Delhi’s stance on Kashmir at the United Nations Security Council.
Recently as reported the first of the batch of four to six Rafales fighter jet will land in India on 27th July and can be operationally deployed in August and France have diverted missiles meant for itself to India. The initial plan was for the missiles to start arriving in October.
The development came amid India being engaged in a standoff with China.
