India Foreign Policy: India and France welcomed progress in bilateral discussions and identified specific opportunities for using India as a base to enhance their cooperation in the manufacturing and procurement of defense equipment. Over the years 2020 and 2022, through the “joint surveillance missions” produced from the French La Réunion, India and France recognized the need to intensify their collaboration in securing the Indian Ocean. In a bilateral dialogue, both countries welcomed progress and identified specific opportunities for cooperation, using India as a base for the manufacture and procurement of defense equipment.

The statement was made during a joint press conference by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the completion of a joint tri-service exercise in air, sea, and land, indicating growing “complexity and mutual understanding” between India and France in joint defense arrangements. They expressed satisfaction with the exercises and highlighted the need for a unique tri-service exercise regimen. “By developing synergies with other friendly countries, especially in the maritime domain, and expressing satisfaction with the capabilities demonstrated in the joint tri-service exercises, they discussed the complexity and mutual understanding of the exercise involving air, sea, and land forces. They also accepted the need for a unique tri-service exercise regimen.”