French foreign minister Catherine Colonna will be visiting India between 13 to 15 September. During her stay in New Delhi, she will be discussing international and regional issues with external minister S Jaishankar. 

On Tuesday, French foreign minister Catherine Colonna will be visiting India to review the bilateral relationship between both nations. Along with that, during her stay in the national capital, she will also discuss finding ways to enhance corporation in important areas like defence, climate change and trade with external affairs minister S Jaishankar on September 14. Colonna will also be travelling to Mumbai for site visits and meetings with industry leaders on September 15. She will be participating virtually in  conversation that day on the topic “France and India in the Indo-Pacific: An essential participation  in challenging times.”

While giving a statement on Colonna’s visit, S Jaishankar stated,” The long-standing strategic relationship between India and France has been strengthened by frequent high-level meetings and growing convergences in a number of areas. The visit will  also open the door for the future deepening of the alliance across defence, migration and mobility, climate, trade, education and health sectors.” 

Over the last few years, strategic cooperation has increased significantly between India and France, especially in the areas of security, counter-terrorism and defence. France even worked very closely with India in order to endorse Pakistan-based terrorist groups and individuals at multilateral bodies including the UNSC (United Nations Security Council). The two nations are also closely working on initiatives focused on the Indo-pacific region. There France has around 1.5 million citizens on island territories and 93 per cent of EEZ (exclusive economic zones). 

A Space Force and French Air contingent, which included three Rafale combat jets, made a technical stepover at IAF (India Air Force) station sometime back at Sulur during a long-distance deployment to the Indo-Pacific. This reflected the close defence ties between both of the nations. 

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