NEW DELHI: India and France reiterated, after another round of maritime cooperation dialogue, their strong commitment to upholding international law, supporting multilateralism, including through regional organisations, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and protecting freedom of navigation.
Recalling in a joint statement their vision for a free and open Indian Ocean Region, first expressed in the ‘Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region’ in 2018, India and France agreed to support free and secure access to sea lanes of communications through collaboration between their maritime assets and organisations.
France welcomed the participation of the Indian Navy in the Combined Maritime Forces and looks forward to India’s leadership of the appropriate Combined Task Forces, said the Indian govt.
“India and France agreed to develop a joint assessment of the threats to maritime security in the region; to counter illicit maritime activities, including piracy and robbery, maritime terrorism, contraband smuggling, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing; hybrid as well as cyber security threats and marine pollution,” said the Indian readout.
As part of their joint commitment towards the conservation of biodiversity and the protection of oceans, India and France also agreed to preserve marine resources in the Indian Ocean Region, through the United Nations Ocean Conference.
