India and France reaffirmed their strong commitment to upholding international law, supporting multilateralism, and ensuring the protection of maritime freedoms following another round of the Maritime Cooperation Dialogue.
Both nations stressed the importance of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity and agreed to work together to safeguard freedom of navigation.
In a joint statement, the two countries reiterated their vision for a free and open Indian Ocean Region, first outlined in the 2018 ‘Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region,’ according to a report.
They pledged to ensure secure and free access to sea lanes of communication by collaborating with their maritime assets and organizations.
France welcomed India’s active participation in the Combined Maritime Forces and expressed anticipation for India’s leadership in the relevant Combined Task Forces, according to the Indian government.
Additionally, India and France agreed to jointly assess maritime security threats in the region, including combating illicit activities such as piracy, robbery, maritime terrorism, contraband smuggling, illegal fishing, cyber threats, and marine pollution.
Both nations also committed to conserving marine biodiversity and protecting oceanic resources through collaborative efforts, including support for the United Nations Ocean Conference, aimed at preserving marine resources in the Indian Ocean Region.