SriLanka, April 26 -- France is keen to strengthen partnerships with countries such as Sri Lanka to defend international law, protect Freedom of Navigation and preserve the maritime environment in the Indo-Pacific, Vice President of the France-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group in the French Senate, Senator Didier Marie said.

Senator Marie told the Sunday Observer during a recent visit to Sri Lanka that France was an Indo-Pacific power with major territories and maritime interests in the region, from Reunion to its Pacific territories.

"France is a Indo-Pacific power from Reunion to the Oceanic Islands. So we have a significant national maritime area," he said. In fact, France is the only non-Indian Ocean Member State of the India...