India And France Adopt Road Map On Blue Economy

By Our Special Correspondent

India and France adopted a road map on the blue economy and ocean governance to enhance partnership for the exploitation and preservation of marine resources through economic, infrastructural and scientific cooperation. The road map was adopted at a meeting between External Affairs Minister Mr. S. Jaishankar and his French counterpart Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian in Paris on February 20, 2022. The road is part of measures agreed on by the two Ministers to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership, especially in trade and investments, defense and security, health, education, research and innovation, energy and climate change. Mr. Jaishankar travelled to France after participating in the Munich Security Conference in Germany.

The “India-France Road map on the Blue Economy and Ocean Governance” adopted by the two sides envisages enhancing partnership in blue economy, the external Affairs Ministry said in a statement. France is among India’s closest strategic partners in Europe, and the two sides are also working with third countries in areas such as critical technologies and resilient supply chins.

Mr. Jaishankar and Mr. Le Drian discussed key regional and global issues, particularly the India-European Union (EU) relationship and the priorities of the French presidency of the EU Council that began on January 1, 2022. They agreed to intensify intensify India-EU ties under the French presidency, and the need to begin negotiations on the India-EU free trade & investment agreements besides implementing the India-EU Connectivity Partnership.

The two leaders further agreed to jointly launch an Indo-French initiative for an “Indo-Pacific Parks Partnership” during the EU ministerial forum to build capacities in the region in terms of sustainable management of protected areas. This will be done by gathering and sharing experiences and expertise among key Indo-Pacific public and private natural park managers.