Thousands of kilometres apart geographically, India and France are finding increasing common ground in the Indo-Pacific region.
France remains the only European country with significant territories, military assets and permanent interests in the Indo-Pacific through regions such as Réunion Island and French Polynesia.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India and France share concerns regarding maritime security, piracy, illegal fishing, disaster resilience and maintaining a rules-based international order in the region.
The two countries regularly conduct naval exercises and coordinate maritime surveillance efforts. French naval deployments in the Indian Ocean have become increasingly integrated with India’s regional security architecture.
The India-France Roadmap for the Indo-Pacific has further strengthened cooperation in maritime domain awareness, connectivity projects, environmental protection and capacity building for smaller island nations.
Their shared vision also extends to supporting sustainable development and climate resilience initiatives across the Indo-Pacific.
As geopolitical competition intensifies in the region, India and France are emerging as key partners advocating strategic stability and regional cooperation.
