To enhance collaboration between India and France and address disaster preparedness, Aurélien Lechevallier, a senior official from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, embarked on a diplomatic visit to India. His itinerary included participation in a high-level meeting convened by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
CDRI appointed Lechevallier to serve as co-chair for its forthcoming sessions over the next biennium, underscoring the commitment to shared leadership between France and India in addressing global challenges. Working closely with Dr PK Mishra from India, Lechevallier actively contributed to the deliberations during the CDRI meeting, reflecting the strong partnership between the two countries.
France’s engagement with CDRI reflects its broader commitment to international initiatives aimed at combating climate change and fostering sustainable development.
This commitment was reiterated during President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to India in January 2024, where France pledged its support for CDRI and other collaborative efforts such as the International Solar Alliance and the Paris Pact for People and the Planet.
In assuming his new role as co-chair of CDRI, Lechevallier expressed gratitude for the opportunity and acknowledged the dedicated efforts of his predecessor, Samantha Power. He emphasized the critical role of CDRI in advancing climate change adaptation goals and underscored the importance of investing in resilient infrastructure to mitigate the impact of disasters and safeguard vulnerable communities.
During his visit to India, Lechevallier also focused on advancing bilateral agreements forged between France and India in 2023. In meetings with key officials from India, including the Secretary for Economic Relations and the CEO of NITI Aayog, discussions centered on strengthening cooperation in areas such as energy transition, environmental conservation, and maritime economy. Both sides explored opportunities for collaboration within multilateral frameworks such as the G20, underscoring the shared commitment to addressing global challenges.
Additionally, Lechevallier engaged in discussions related to cultural cooperation, particularly in the realm of museology. As part of France’s commitment to supporting cultural exchanges, he co-chaired a Joint Working Group on Museology to further enhance bilateral collaboration in museum development, artifact conservation, and visitor engagement.
An important highlight of Lechevallier’s visit was his inspection of sites earmarked for the construction of a new National Museum in New Delhi, a project in which France is a partner. Building upon the Letter of Intent signed during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to France in July 2023, France reaffirmed its commitment to supporting India in this endeavour through France Muséums Développement.
His visit to India reaffirmed the strong partnership between France and India across various domains, including disaster resilience, environmental sustainability, cultural cooperation, and infrastructure development. Through collaborative efforts and shared commitments, both countries aim to address common challenges and advance mutual interests on the global stage.