The first Trilateral Dialogue between Australia, India and France was held via videoconference on 9 September 2020. Co-chaired by DFAT Secretary Frances Adamson, Foreign Secretary of India Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and Secretary General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr François Delattre, the dialogue focused on addressing regional and global challenges, including those posed by COVID-19.
The senior officials discussed social, economic and geostrategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. They shared lessons from their respective domestic responses to the pandemic, and highlighted the importance of regional and global cooperation to recovery. They also discussed areas for practical cooperation at the trilateral and regional level, including through regional organisations such as ASEAN and IORA. The three countries discussed ways to strengthen and reform multilateralism.
The meeting builds on the strong bilateral relations shared by the three countries, and a recognition of the importance of cooperation with likeminded partners to ensure an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific Region. The three sides agreed to hold the dialogue on an annual basis.
