New Delhi: France, considered an Indian Ocean-rim country with island territories like Reunion Island, is open to working in a “bilateral, trilateral or multilateral” arrangement with other governments, including the proposed Quadrilateral countries (India, US, Japan and Australia), in the Asia-Pacific region, French diplomatic sources indicated on Wednesday.
France already has a strong bilateral strategic relationship with Australia in the Indian Ocean Region.
This comes against the backdrop of French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is scheduled to begin a visit to New Delhi from Friday.
With questions being raised by the Opposition in India over the Rafale deal, sources also said that Rafale aircraft’s performance is “outstanding” and that the “transparent” deal had been inked at “competitive prices”. France considers India as its “foremost strategic partner in Asia” and is keen on boosting bilateral relations.
During Mr Le Drian’s visit, the three important facets of bilateral ties with India — defence, space and civil nuclear ties, economic issues and cultural relations including people-to-people links — are expected to be discussed with top Indian ministers, including his counterpart external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.
