India and France have further strengthened their strategic maritime partnership by committing to a comprehensive joint assessment of maritime threats in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This significant development unfolded during the seventh India-France Maritime Cooperation Dialogue held in Delhi on January 14, co-chaired by Pavan Kapoor, Deputy National Security Advisor of India, and Alice Rufo, Director General for International Relations and Strategy at France’s Ministry for the Armed Forces.
The two nations acknowledged their shared vision of maritime security, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law, supporting multilateralism through regional organizations, and ensuring sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom of navigation across the IOR. This vision, first formalized in their joint strategic cooperation agreement in 2018, has now evolved into actionable steps to counter pressing maritime challenges.
Central to this partnership is a collaborative approach to identifying and mitigating threats such as piracy, maritime terrorism, smuggling, illegal fishing, cybersecurity risks, and marine pollution. The dialogue also underscored the necessity of protecting marine biodiversity and managing marine resources sustainably.
As part of the agreement, India and France will enhance information-sharing mechanisms. Key centers like the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram and regional hubs in Seychelles and Madagascar will play pivotal roles in facilitating data exchange and coordinated surveillance efforts. These centers aim to strengthen monitoring capabilities and enable swift responses to threats in the region.
France expressed its appreciation for the Indian Navy’s involvement in the Combined Maritime Forces, further encouraging India to assume leadership roles in Combined Task Forces. Such cooperation highlights the depth of trust and alignment between the two nations on global maritime issues.
India and France also reaffirmed their commitment to fostering environmental conservation in the IOR. As active participants in the United Nations Ocean Conference and members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), both countries pledged to advance regional biodiversity efforts and promote blue economy initiatives. These actions are aimed at ensuring the sustainable use of ocean resources while safeguarding ecological balance.
The dialogue also addressed the strategic importance of maintaining free and secure access to vital sea lanes of communication. Both sides reiterated their intent to collaborate closely to ensure that maritime routes remain unimpeded, which is crucial for international trade and regional stability.
This renewed cooperation between India and France is not only a step toward enhancing maritime security but also a testament to their shared values and vision for a stable, prosperous, and environmentally secure Indian Ocean Region. The focus on multilateral collaboration and respect for international law underscores their dedication to fostering global and regional peace.
By prioritizing joint initiatives, both nations aim to create a resilient maritime framework capable of addressing both current and emerging challenges. The dialogue serves as a reminder of the importance of partnerships in navigating the complexities of the modern maritime domain.
As the collaboration deepens, India and France are set to become even more significant players in ensuring the stability and security of one of the world’s most strategically important regions.
