India and France have declared that they are attached to the international law of the sea and will coordinate their positions in multilateral bodies and negotiations to strengthen it and adapt to "new challenges", amidst China's aggressive muscle flexing in the Indo-Pacific.
According to a roadmap signed by the two countries on the blue economy and ocean governance during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's bilateral talks with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian on Sunday, India and France nurture a high quality dialogue on maritime security, which enables them to raise strategic issues in the Indo-Pacific.
"This partnership marks a significant step-forward in India-France cooperation for maritime security," according to the roadmap released by the Ministry of External Affairs.
India and France will hold discussions on the development and strengthening of marine protected areas throughout the world, particularly as part of the negotiations on the future biodiversity global framework.
India and France are maritime nations with dynamic maritime economy sectors like marine technology and scientific research, fisheries, port and shipping, to name a few. Possessing vast exclusive economic zones, their fate is closely linked to the sea and the ocean, according to the roadmap.
