Lechevallier advances Indo-French ties at CDRI meeting in India

French diplomat Aurelien Lechevallier visited India to attend the Governing Council meeting of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and to further improve Indo-French cooperation on culture and global commons, as per a statement from the French Foreign Ministry.

Lechevallier, who serves as the Director General for Global Affairs and Cultural and Economic Diplomacy at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, was appointed as the new co-chair of CDRI’s governing council for a two-year term (2024-2026). This appointment was announced during President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to India in January 2024.

During his visit, Lechevallier co-chaired the CDRI Governing Council meeting alongside Dr. PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India. He also discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation, including energy transitions, ecological initiatives, blue economy, and AI governance.

Furthermore, Lechevallier participated in the Joint Working Group on Museology to enhance France’s contribution to bilateral cultural cooperation, particularly in the development of museums. This includes France’s partnership with India on the creation of a new National Museum in New Delhi, with discussions held on site visits and future collaboration steps.

The French Embassy in India highlighted the ongoing partnership between France and India in the establishment of the new National Museum, showcasing the commitment to deepening cultural ties between the two nations.