Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, Dr. Ely Ratner, and Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Dr. Celeste Wallander, co-hosted the 3rd Indo-Pacific Strategic Dialogue between the United States Department of Defense and the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, February 8 at the Pentagon. French Vice Admiral Christophe Lucas co-chaired the dialogue.
The defense leaders discussed the security environment in the Indo-Pacific, multilateral approaches to regional security challenges, and cooperation in the region.
Following the State Visit of French President Emmanuel Macron November 30-December 1, 2022, as well as the meeting between Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and France’s Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu on November 30, 2022, this meeting provided an important opportunity for robust follow-on discussions about Indo-Pacific security issues.