New Delhi: China is increasingly aggressive in the Indo-Pacific region and the South China Sea and there is a need to ensure the freedom of navigation and compliance with international rules, visit French defense minister Florence Parly said on Friday.
In an interactive session on tanks, Parly said the challenges of terrorism must be handled comprehensively and that France and India continue to face the threat of terror attacks when he refers to the situation in Afghanistan.
The French Minister of Defense said China was a major country and there were areas where cooperation could be considered and developed included in combating climate change.
“China is also a partner for trade and trade, but we also see that China is increasingly aggressive in this region, and it is even more specific when it comes to the Chinese sea (south),” he said.
“France and, if I can, India shares the same view of something that is key – I mean international maritime law, freedom of navigation not just the main concept.
This is one set of rules we obey, but also something that makes risk navigation and trade in freedom (from), “Parly said.
He said the main maritime path must remain free.
“We see that sometimes there is an effort to close this (south) sea and we want to ensure that the freedom of navigation is respected,” said the French Minister of Defense.
Parly said France wanted to preserve the Indo-Pacific as an open and inclusive area and it must be free of any “coercion”.
“For us, the Indo-Pacific in not an artificial juxtaposition of the Indian and Pacific Ocean.
It must be understood as a broad geographical continuum faced by a common challengement,” he said.
“So, we have developed a tremendous partnership.
And it’s more important than to strengthen it.
As you know, we face global and regional challenges,” he said.
The French Minister identified terrorism as a big challenge facing the two nations.
“Terror has hit France and Europe repeatedly over the past few years and has not dodged Indo Pacific, including India.
This fight has not ended and will continue for years to come,” Parly said.
“The threat of attacks on our countries has not been lost.
I think, especially the situation in Afghanistan, which is a problem for France and India,” he said.
He further added: “In addition, this threat needs to be handled comprehensively, from Levant to Africa.” Parly said he was in India to say that “how valuable friendship” between the two countries.
“This friendship, the trust we have in each other, has developed and developed rapidly in recent years, in such a way that the distance between Ganges and Seine sometimes seems to be reduced,” he said.
He said France and India both “visceral committed” to national sovereignty and independence.
“I think our industrial partnership is proof of it.
France, more than other countries, understand the need for Indian content.
And we are fully committed to the initiative of ‘Make In India’, and further integration of Indian producers into our global supply chain,” he said.
“For in India it has become a reality for the French industry for several years, especially for defense equipment such as submarines,” he said.