India and France are strengthening their maritime cooperation to promote peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region, with New Delhi set to chair the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for two years starting in 2025.

During their recent Maritime Cooperation Dialogue in New Delhi, India and France agreed to jointly assess maritime security threats in the IOR to address illicit activities such as piracy, armed robbery, maritime terrorism, contraband smuggling, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing, as well as hybrid and cyber security threats and marine pollution, according to officials familiar with the discussions. The two nations also committed to supporting free and secure access to sea lanes of communication by collaborating on their maritime assets and organizations. France, which holds territories in the IOR, remains one of India's key partners in the region.