India-France Ties: Two countries to step up cooperation in Indian Ocean region

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French President Emmanuel Macron is on a four-day visit to India, aiming to boost strategic and economic relations. During his visit, Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will co-chair a conference on solar energy. Ravinder Bawa has more.

India and France have embarked on a new venture, exchanging fourteen agreements to boost cooperation in areas such as security and nuclear energy. The two countries also signed an agreement on the protection of classified information. Stepping up cooperation in the Indian Ocean region was top of their agenda.

EMMANUEL MACRON FRENCH PRESIDENT "We are building a strategic partnership because the Pacific and Indian Oceans cannot be places for hegemonic power. This also purpose our defence cooperation."

NARENDRA MODI INDIAN PRIME MINISTER "We both believe that the Indian Ocean region will play an important role for the future well being, progress and prosperity of the world whether that concerns the environment or maritime security, or marine resources or freedom of navigation or overflight, we are committed to strengthening our cooperation in all these areas."

India and France have decided to focus on expanding their bilateral cooperation rather than engaging in multilateral arrangements. Macron said France was very excited about the potential of their ties.

EMMANUEL MACRON FRENCH PRESIDENT "France should be the best partner of India and especially in Europe, the entry point for Europe and I dream to have more and more Indian citizens coming to France, studying, becoming entrepreneurs, creating startups."

Macron and Modi held talks in Delhi on Saturday and they are expected to spend more time together during the French president's time in India.

Next up for the two leaders is founding conference of International Solar Alliance, which aims to work for the efficient exploitation of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Ravinder Bawa, CGTN, Delhi.