India and France sought to deepen their civil nuclear partnership while discussing global crises including Ukraine and West Asia at the Second Meeting of the India-France Special Task Force on Civil Nuclear Energy in New Delhi on Monday.
Co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Anne-Marie Descotes, the meeting reviewed progress over the past year and explored avenues for broader strategic collaboration in defence, innovation, and emerging technologies.
“During the meeting, both sides undertook a comprehensive review of the progress made over the past year through various meetings and consultations. They agreed to remain in close touch over various key aspects of bilateral civil nuclear cooperation. They reaffirmed the importance of engagement in emerging technologies like Small and Advanced Modular Reactors (SMRs/AMRs), as articulated by the Declaration of Intent on SMRs and AMRs signed in February 2025,” the Ministry of External Affairs stated.
The discussions also encompassed technology, space, counter-terrorism, and trilateral cooperation with third countries. Misri and Descotes exchanged views on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the crisis in Gaza.
Also read: Terror, extremism in focus at India-France Paris dialogue
A press release from the French Embassy highlighted Descotes’ gratitude for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to President Emmanuel Macron for the AI Impact Summit in February 2026, noting that the year will mark the India-France Year of Innovation. “Innovation and new technologies are growing fields of cooperation between France and India, and 2026 will mark the India-France Year of Innovation,” the release stated.
Descotes reiterated France’s support for deepening EU-India relations, backing a comprehensive EU-India trade agreement following the 2025 Joint Communication on a New Strategic EU-India Agenda. She also emphasised efforts for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, the Gaza crisis, and the fight against terrorism.
During her visit, Descotes met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister PK Mishra, and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs. She concluded her trip with visits to Alliance Française de Delhi and Campus France offices, underlining the bilateral goal of hosting 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030.
Follow us
