France FM Jean-Yves Le Drian begins his three-day visit to New Delhi
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New Delhi, Apr 13: French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has begun with his three-day visit to India tomorrow. The visit is being considered to be the first high-level physical interaction between India and France since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar recieved Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Yves Le Drian, on Apr 12. During his visit, the French Foreign Minister will also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Indo-Pacific will be the key focus of discussions between the two ministers and Drian is set to announce France joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans initiative launched by PM Modi.
India and France are to discuss joint initiatives that have come to fruition including the new trilateral with Australia. The trilateral panel is also part of the Raisina dialogue. The multi-lateral maritime exercise La Perouse involving navies of India, France, Japan and the US ended last week. The bilateral Varuna exercise involving a French aircraft carrier is to be held in two weeks.
The French Minister will take up climate issue during his meeting with PM Modi and Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar. There are chances that the visiting minister will also be taking forward civilian nuclear cooperation and is expected to make announcements on new joint endeavours during his visit to the ISRO centre in Bengaluru and also start a dialogue on emerging security challenges in space.