India & France hold 36th Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi

Tags: International Relations National News

India and France held the 36th Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi on 5 January. The two sides discussed a wide range of bilateral and global issues.

An overview of the news

• National Security Advisor Ajit Doval led the Indian delegation while the French delegation was led by Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the French President.

• The last edition of the Strategic Dialogue was to be held in Paris in November 2021.

India, France bilateral relations

• France is the first country with which India started a strategic dialogue after its 1998 nuclear tests.

• Bilateral trade with France has reached US$ 10.75 billion in the last decade and is showing a steady increase.

• Both sides recognized the importance of discussing the India-EU Trade and Investment Agreement.

• There are around 1,000 French companies present in India while over a hundred Indian businesses have established a presence in France.

• In 2005, an agreement was signed to build six Scorpene submarines in India with the help of France.

• There has been an agreement between the Government of France and India for 36 Rafale aircraft.

About France

• President: Emmanuel Macron

• Prime minister: Élisabeth Borne

• Capital: Paris

• Currency : euro