India, France, Australia reassert commitment to a free, rules-based Indo-Pacific
- In Reports
- 04:28 PM, Jun 20, 2024
- Myind Staff
The third India-France-Australia Trilateral Focal Points Meeting took place virtually on Wednesday, where the three parties assessed advancements in maritime safety and security, marine and environmental cooperation, and multilateral engagement.
During the meeting, India, Australia, and France reiterated their dedication to promoting their common principles and collaborating towards a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. This reaffirmation underscores their commitment to enhancing regional stability and prosperity through cooperative initiatives.
The discussions underscored the strategic importance placed by the three nations on maintaining maritime security, protecting the marine environment, and fostering multilateral partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
Leading the Indian delegation were Piyush Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Europe West) at the Ministry of External Affairs, and Paramita Tripathi, Joint Secretary (Oceania and Indo-Pacific). The French delegation was headed by Benoit Guidee, Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Asia and Oceania), while the Australian delegation was led by Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary of the South and Central Asia Division at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Ministry of External Affairs reported that the three sides conducted a review of progress achieved across the three pillars of trilateral cooperation: maritime safety and security, marine and environmental cooperation, and multilateral engagement.
They also outlined new proposals to enhance cooperation, including initiatives under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and mechanisms of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), as well as collaboration in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and other multilateral activities, according to a release.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, highlighted in a post on X that the discussions centred on advancing cooperation in Maritime Safety and Security, Marine & Environmental cooperation, and Multilateral Engagement within the framework of the India-France-Australia Trilateral Focal Points meeting held virtually.
During the previous year's second India-France-Australia Trilateral Focal Points Meeting, the three parties identified key projects to commence in the forthcoming months.
Image source: ANI
Comments