French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna will speak with her Indian colleague S. Jaishankar on bilateral, regional, and global problems during her three days in India.
Additionally, she will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval to discuss all facets of the bilateral ties between France and India.
She starts her official journey from Sept 14- Sept 15. Catherine Colonna, France’s minister for Europe and foreign affairs, will visit India on Tuesday to strengthen ties between the two countries and explore ways to expand cooperation in essential fields including commerce, defence, the environment, migration and mobility, education, and health
On September 14, Colonna will speak with S Jaishankar, minister of external affairs, on bilateral, regional, and global matters of mutual interest, according to a release from the MEA.
According to the statement, “India and France have a long-standing strategic alliance, underpinned by frequent high-level talks and developing convergences in several sectors.”.
The following are the main topics on the agenda for French Minister Catherine Colonna’s visit to India:
- According to an official statement from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Colonna will discuss every facet of the bilateral relationship between India and France during her visit, particularly the nearly 25-year strategic partnership between the two countries and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
2. Discussion topics will include the continuing conflict in Ukraine as well as preparations for the impending Indian G20 leadership.
3. Colonna will also go to the Lady Shri Ram College for Women, where she will speak with young Indian women about possibilities to study in France and gender equality.
4. On Thursday, Minister Catherine Colonna will fly to Mumbai, where she will see India’s newest submarine, which was constructed at the Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) shipyard with French help.
5. She will speak on French and European objectives in the Indo-Pacific at an event organized by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) think tank, highlighting the crucial role that French-Indian collaboration has played in this crucial area.
She will speak on our Partnership for the Planet with India at the 45th Annual General Meeting of the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI).
6. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India and France have a long-standing strategic alliance bolstered by frequent high-level meetings and rising convergence in several sectors.
Indian Industrialists
On September 15, Colonna will go to Mumbai as part of the trip for meetings with business executives and site inspections.
The Minister is due to meet with prominent Indian businessmen having interests in France on Thursday. The announcement said that France has maintained its position as the top European destination for FDI.
India-France Relationship
In the past, there have been cordial ties between France and India. The two nations established a Strategic Partnership in 1998, which, in addition to their tight and developing bilateral connection, is symbolic of their agreement on a variety of international concerns. The economic ties between the two nations are growing.
As a result of the connections that French enterprises and industries have established with the Indian economy, we are much closer to realizing our vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Despite India’s trade surplus, bilateral trade between India and France is still well below potential. Between April 2018 and March 2019, bilateral trade between France and India totalled 11.59 billion euros, including 6.23 billion euros of French exports to France and 5.35 billion euros of Indian exports. Also see UK Prime Minister’s Two-Day Visit to India Set Twitter Abuzz, Triggering Meme-Fest
