India, France discuss Indo-Pacific issue and bilateral ties

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met François Delattre, Secretary-General of France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and discussed the situation in the Indo-Pacific. The two also discussed mutual relations with focus on enhanced cooperation in defence and security.<br />
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Delattre's visit comes on the heels of the Annual Defence Dialogue held on 17 December 2021 between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the French Minister for Armed Forces Florence Parly.</p>
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Glad to receive French Secretary General François Delattre.<br />
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Good discussions on our bilateral cooperation, Indo-Pacific and global developments. <a href="https://t.co/TqndIeHARB">pic.twitter.com/TqndIeHARB</a></p>
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1473281386438004739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Jaishankar tweeted about the meeting: "Glad to receive French Secretary General François Delattre. Good discussions on our bilateral cooperation, Indo-Pacific and global developments".</p>
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Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla too met the Secretary-General to discuss cooperation in spheres such as space, cybersecurity, digital economy, blue economy, education and people-to-people contacts, energy, health and climate change. The two officials were joined by the respective ambassadors.<br />
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The two countries also agreed to cooperate in global matters like the UN Security Council as well as Afghanistan.<br />
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In a statement, <a href="https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/34716/Visit+of+SecretaryGeneral+of+Ministry+for+Europe+and+Foreign+Affairs+of+France+to+India+December+2122+2021">the Ministry of External Affairs said</a>: "Reaffirming their shared commitment to a multipolar world and faith in multilateralism, the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary-General also held discussions on a number of regional and global issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in the European Union in view of the forthcoming French Presidency, Indo-Pacific, UNSC, situation in Afghanistan, among others".</p>
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India and France have been <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/modi-macron-discuss-indo-pacific-amid-seismic-shifts-in-the-region-116303.html">cementing their relations</a> particularly in the areas of defence and security. India has been fortifying its defences with French weapons to keep a belligerent China in check.</p>
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The MEA added that India’s trade with France has seen a steady rise in the last decade, reaching $10.75 billion in 2020. "Despite the pandemic, it is estimated that bilateral trade between the two countries in 2021 has reached $8.85 billion. To tap the full potential of bilateral trade and economic relations, both sides reiterated their commitment to restarting negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement", said the MEA.<br />
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France has emerged as a major source of foreign direct investment with more than 1,000 French establishments in India. France is the 11th largest foreign investor in India with an investment of $9.86 billion from April 2000 to June 2021, representing 1.80% of the total FDI inflows into India.<br />
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Indian companies too have set-up base in France with around 200 subsidiaries of Indian businesses in France, employing more than 6,000 people. Most of these firms include IT services, pharmaceuticals, biotechnologies and hospitality sectors.</p>