Indian Foreign Secretary holds consultations with French counterpart

The visit comes soon after the 36th Strategic Dialogue held on Jan 5 in New Delhi between Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor and  Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the French President.

"Foreign Secretary co-chaired Foreign Office Consultations with Ms Anne-Marie Descôtes, Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs today," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Both sides reviewed progress on key areas of bilateral cooperation, including on the various institutional dialogue mechanisms between the two countries, civil nuclear domain, on cooperation vis-à-vis the UNSC given the end of India’s term, and the people-to-people and cultural sphere.

They also discussed global and regional issues including climate and energy transition, health, and trilateral cooperation.

The two sides also exchanged views on topical issues such as India’s G20 Presidency, the conflict in Ukraine, the security situation in Afghanistan, among others.

Foreign Secretary also participated in the Focal Points’ Meeting of the India-France-UAE Trilateral Dialogue.

Foreign Secretary also called on Catherine Colonna, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, to brief her about his discussions with Secretary-General Descôtes in the FOC and the India-France-UAE Trilateral meeting, and also held meetings with other French dignitaries and officials, including Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the President; Emmanuel Moulin, Director-General of the French Treasury; and Alice Rufo, Director-General for International Relations and Strategy of the French Ministry of Armed Forces.