In recent years, relations have deepened with both countries sharing the same vision for a new balanced multipolar world

India and France will hold their annual strategic dialogue on Thursday in New Delhi and the two sides will hold discussions on wide-ranging bilateral and global issues, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Wednesday.

While National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will lead the Indian delegation, the French delegation will be led by Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the French President.

During the meeting, the two sides will discuss wide-ranging bilateral and global issues.

Bonne Diplomatic Advisor to the French President will also call on other Indian dignitaries. The last edition of the strategic dialogue was held in February 2020 in Paris.

Bilateral engagement between New Delhi and Paris deepened in recent years with both countries sharing the same vision for a new balanced multipolar world. On January 1, French ambassador to India, Emmanuel Lenain welcomed India’s fresh stint with UNSC for 2021-22.

“France welcomes India as it joins UNSC for next 2 yrs. We are eager to work side by side to uphold international law, fight terrorism & defend multilateralism,” Lenain had said in his tweet.

On December 7, French President Emmanuel Macron had called Prime Minister Narendra Modi and both leaders discussed several issues including digital and strategic autonomy, deepening of defence cooperation, Indo-Pacific, and the security environment in Asia and West Asia.