India-France review cooperation on economic security during talks in Paris
“Both sides comprehensively reviewed the progress made in various aspects of the bilateral relationship, especially in the context of strengthening ties through the Special Global Strategic Partnership and President Macron’s visit to India in February 2026. The two sides also reviewed key deliverables, including the India-France Year of Innovation, cooperation on economic security, shared ambition to increase cross-flow of STEM talents, including more Indian students in France, and in particular the target of doubling bilateral trade. “The India-EU Free Trade Agreement,” the statement said. “conclusion of the negotiations” were used.
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The statement stated that the talks covered strategic areas of bilateral cooperation, including defence, civil nuclear energy, space, cyber and digital, artificial intelligence, institutional dialogue mechanisms and initiatives that promote people-to-people exchanges and cultural ties.
“The two sides also exchanged views on global issues such as cooperation in the field of environment, climate change and health, cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, trilateral dialogues, joint development projects in third countries, developments in West Asia and Ukraine,” the statement said.
The MEA added that Foreign Minister Vikram Misri and Secretary-General Martin Briens agreed to meet again for the Strategic Space Dialogue scheduled for later this year.
During the visit, the Minister of Foreign Affairs also visited the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, and met with the Diplomatic Advisor to the French President, Emmanuel Bonne. Earlier, Misri also visited the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center (SVCC) in Paris and saw the exhibition “L’Art de L’Inde: Aujourd’hui”, which showcased 80 works by 40 Indian artists and highlighted the living artistic traditions of India.
His visit follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India in early February and reflects the ongoing regular high-level contacts between India and Europe.
The External Affairs Minister was earlier in the US, where he met key leaders and held discussions on further deepening India-US cooperation in various dimensions of the relationship.
Misri met with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
Jacob Helberg, US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, expressed his satisfaction with his meeting with Misri and highlighted discussions on the development of pro-innovation policies in trade, energy cooperation and artificial intelligence.
During his three-day visit to Washington, he also had a “productive” meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is scheduled to visit India next month.
The Secretary of State’s itinerary included important meetings with Under Secretary for War Policy Elbridge Colby at the Pentagon.
