<span style="color: #222222;">India and France have recognised the immense opportunities for greater collaboration in diverse sectors including trade and investments, defence, health, education, energy and climate change amid changes in a Covid-impacted world. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and visiting Foreign Minister of France Jean-Yves Le Drian today held bilateral talks in New Delhi. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The two leaders  held discussions on a number of regional and global issues of mutual interest reiterating their shared commitment to a multipolar world and faith in multilateralism. They explored ways to strengthen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, including the India-France-Australia Trilateral mechanism, addressing emerging challenges in the maritime and space domains and working together in the area of climate action and biodiversity protection. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In this regard, India  has welcomed France's decision to take up the Maritime Resources pillar of India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. Bilateral trade with France has witnessed a steady rise in the last decade reaching 10.75 billion dollars in 2020. Both sides also  recognised the importance of fast tracking the discussions on an India-EU trade and investment agreement to tap the full potential of bilateral trade and economic relations.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The visiting dignitary will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi . Mr Le Drian will also participate in the Raisina Dialogue. He is scheduled to visit Bengaluru also.</span>