India-France Strategic Partnership - An Important Pillar Of India's Foreign Policy: Vice President

The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu has described India-France Strategic Partnership as an important pillar of India's foreign policy and said that India and France could act as harbingers of peace and stability. Interacting with a delegation of French Parliamentarians led by Mrs. Sophie Primas, the Chair, and Senate Standing Committee for Economic Affairs, in New Delhi, Shri Naidu called for closer cooperation between India and France to promote peace and harmony in the world.

The Vice President said that India always believed in peaceful co-existence with all countries, including its neighbours. We don't want anybody to interfere in the internal affairs of our country, nor do we interfere in the affairs of other countries, he told the delegation.

Observing that India valued its partnership with France on defence cooperation, maritime security, counter-terrorism, space co-operation, economic partnership, and the other areas, the Vice President suggested the setting up of Indo-French Parliamentary Friendship Group to promote closer ties between the two nations. He also expressed happiness over France's decision to partner with India under the Smart Cities initiatives. India's development needs require massive investments in urban renewal and clean energy, he added.

Calling for greater trade, technology, and capital flows between the two nations, Naidu said the bilateral trade momentum needs to be multiplied to reach the set target of trade in goods to 15 bn Euros by 2022.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News