8th India-France Maritime Cooperation Dialogue India Scientific cooperation Communiqué On : May 21st 2026 The 8th India-France Maritime Cooperation Dialogue was held in Paris on 20 May 2026. It was co-chaired by Shri Pavan Kapoor, Deputy National Security Advisor, National Security Council Secretariat, India and Mr. Guillaume Ollagnier, Director General for International Relations and Strategy, Ministry for the Armed Forces, France and Mrs. Claire Raulin, Director for Strategic Affairs, Security and Disarmament at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs The discussions focused on their shared commitment to strengthening operational cooperation for countering illicit maritime activities, including piracy and armed robbery, maritime terrorism; drug trafficking; Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing, as well as other hybrid threats. India and France committed to reinforce their coordination in maritime security domain. Both sides exchanged views on the situation in West Asia/Middle-Eastand the Indian Ocean. The discussions reflected strong strategic convergence and a shared vision of a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region, based on mutual commitment to international law, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom of navigation. The engagement also provided an opportunity to follow-up on the decisions emerging from the meeting between leaders of both countries in February 2026 and review the outcomes of the January 2026 dialogue between the respective National Security Advisors. India and France agreed to consolidate and leverage their Special Global Strategic Partnership.