India and France have affirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in maritime security at the 8th India-France Maritime Cooperation Dialogue, as per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The dialogue, co-chaired by officials from both nations, focused on bolstering operational collaboration to combat illicit maritime activities like piracy, armed robbery, terrorism, drug trafficking, and illegal fishing. Discussions also encompassed the situation in West Asia/Middle-East and the Indian Ocean, emphasizing a joint vision for a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
The engagement served as a platform to follow up on decisions made during previous high-level meetings between the leaders of India and France. Both countries agreed to strengthen their Special Global Strategic Partnership, building upon the outcomes of past dialogues and commitments to international law, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom of navigation. French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to India, where he participated in the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit 2026, further solidified bilateral ties.
Notably, the 38th India-France Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi, co-chaired by Ajit Doval, National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of India, and Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Adviser to the President of France, underscored the ongoing cooperation between the two nations in various strategic domains.
