India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met with French President Emmanuel Macron’s Diplomatic Advisor, Emmanuel Bonne, in New Delhi on Thursday for the 36th India-France Strategic Dialogue, wherein the two sides reaffirmed their joint commitment towards “peace, stability, and security” in the Indo-Pacific. To this end, they reiterated the importance of a rules-based international order and strategic autonomy.
The pair spoke about other regional and international issues of mutual concern, including Afghanistan and Southeast Asia. They emphasised the importance of India-France cooperation through the UN Security Council and other forums against the backdrop of the “emerging uncertainties and volatile global security environment.”
In this regard, both officials agreed on the need to bolster defence cooperation to ensure the “co-development of futuristic technologies,” while ensuring the success of India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign. Accordingly, they agreed to expand cooperation in nuclear energy, space, and cybertechnologies, along with ensuring the security and stability of the Southwest Indian Ocean Region and the Indo-Pacific.
India’s aim to achieve self-reliance in defence and arms will help face the increasing threat due to China’s aggressive posturing along its common border, as well as the drop in arms supplied by Russia, which is entangled in its own war with Ukraine. Thus, New Delhi is seeking to domestically design and develop its military and civilian jets, for which India has already entered into a joint venture with France in the state of Gujarat.
Had a fruitful meeting with Mr. Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to President Macron covering a wide range of issues from Defence & security to culture. Glad that our Strategic Partnership is further deepening. Conveyed invitation to my friend @EmmanuelMacron to visit India. pic.twitter.com/nJu5uKAueS
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 5, 2023
Bonne also met with Indian PM Narendra Modi on the same day, with the Indian leader stressing the importance of “close cooperation” between New Delhi and France in defence, security, and the Indo-Pacific. Bonne and Modi also extended their mutual support for cooperation in energy and cultural ties.
According to Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, Bonne was scheduled to meet Indian FM S. Jaishankar and India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant. However, no details about the discussions were made public. He further deferred a media query about a prospective Naval cooperation agreement to the Defence Ministry.
MACRON’S VISIT TO INDIA IN MARCH
This meeting sets the stage for Macron’s upcoming visit to New Delhi to meet Modi in March.
According to the Deccan Herald, the two sides will sign an agreement to allow New Delhi to procure 26 Rafale jets from the Dassault Aviation company for INS Vikrant, India’s first homegrown aircraft carrier. This will be in addition to the 36 Rafale fighter jets that the Indian Air Force has already purchased from France in 2016.
2023 begins on a 🇫🇷🇮🇳 note! Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to Prez @EmmanuelMacron, called on PM @NarendraModi to convey France’s full support for India’s #G20 presidency, & commitment to taking our strategic partnership to yet more ambitious levels as it turns 25 this year. pic.twitter.com/51p4kf7RAo
— Emmanuel Lenain 🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@FranceinIndia) January 5, 2023
INDIA-FRANCE RELATIONS
Modi and Macron last met in November, on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Bali, to discuss “new areas of economic engagements,” including in defence, nuclear energy, trade, and investment.
They also met in May, while Modi was in Copenhagen for the India-Nordic Summit, and in June, during the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Schloss Elmau.
French President Macron's diplomatic advisor and G20/G7 Sherpa Emmanuel Bonne to meet PM Modi, says MEA Spox @abagchimea as he gives details of the India- France strategic dialogue. https://t.co/v7JA0HgVNa pic.twitter.com/v8PyK36txI
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) January 5, 2023
In November, Doval and Bonne hosted the annual bilateral Strategic Dialogue. During these discussions, the Indian NSA celebrated France as a major partner in India’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
Modi and Macron’s 2018 meeting in New Delhi was one of the most monumental meetings in the past few years, as the pair co-hosted the Founding Summit of the International Alliance. During the visit, the two leaders signed a series of agreements on cooperation in space and in the Indian Ocean Region.
Paris and New Delhi have also seen an uptick in their nuclear partnership, with France helping India bolster its capacity and technology.