India France foreign office consultations review defence, nuclear, space, cyber and AI ties ahead of 2026 visit

Senior officials from India and France held wide-ranging talks on Monday. The agenda covered defence, civil nuclear energy, space, and cyber and digital cooperation. Both sides also discussed AI and major regional and global developments. The meeting took place under the India–France Foreign Office Consultations, led by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Martin Briens.

Representative image

The Ministry of External Affairs said the two sides reviewed progress across the partnership. This included work since ties were raised to the Special Global Strategic Partnership. The review also looked ahead to President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India in February 2026. Officials examined how existing cooperation tracks were delivering results.

India-France talks cover defence and civil nuclear energy

According to the statement, discussions mapped strategic cooperation areas in detail. These included defence, civil nuclear energy, space, cyber and digital, and AI. The two sides also assessed institutional dialogue mechanisms. They also reviewed steps that support people-to-people links, along with cultural exchanges between India and France.

Officials also shared views on global issues connected to the partnership. Topics included the environment, climate change, and health cooperation. The talks also covered Indo-Pacific cooperation, trilateral dialogues, and joint development projects in third countries. Developments in West Asia and Ukraine were also part of the exchange.

India-France talks review trade, STEM talent and Year of Innovation

The two sides reviewed key deliverables under the relationship. These included the India–France Year of Innovation and cooperation on economic security. They also discussed increasing the crossflow of STEM talent, including more Indian students in France. They reiterated the goal of doubling bilateral trade, noting the India–EU Free Trade Agreement talks had concluded.

Misri and Briens also decided on the next round of engagement. They agreed to meet again for the Strategic Space Dialogue. The ministry said the dialogue was scheduled for later this year. Officials did not give a specific date. The decision came as both sides kept space cooperation on a steady track.

India-France talks take place amid West Asia tensions

Before the consultations, Misri called on French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. The Indian Embassy in Paris posted on X: "Discussions covered key areas of bilateral cooperation, ongoing global challenges, including the situation in the Middle East,\". The talks also included the situation in West Asia, as per the broader agenda.

Misri’s France visit came amid rising tensions in West Asia. This followed US and Iran talks in Pakistan over the weekend. The talks did not produce a lasting peace deal to end hostilities. US President Donald Trump announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The move aimed to restrict Iran’s oil supplies to China and others.

Misri arrived in Paris on Sunday as part of a two-nation visit. Misri also met Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of France. The visit followed Misri’s trip to the US. There, Misri met Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other Trump administration officials. Misri is on a three-day visit to Paris and Berlin for talks.

The Indian mission linked the engagements to recent high-level visits. It said the schedule followed French President HE @EmmanuelMacrons visit to India in February 2026. The mission added that it reflected ongoing regular exchanges between India and Europe. The consultations and side meetings kept several tracks active, from security and trade to space and climate.

With inputs from PTI