Milipol India 2025 Kicks Off, Highlighting Indo-French Cooperation in Homeland Security

Milipol India 2025, an event dedicated to innovation, collaboration, and dialogue in homeland security, was launched on Wednesday at the Yashobhoomi International Convention and Exhibition Centre in New Delhi. The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, delivered the keynote address, stressing the significance of strengthening Indo-French ties in the security domain, particularly in the co-production of advanced technologies aimed at boosting the capabilities of both nations' security forces.

The opening ceremony began with a moment of silence to honor the victims of a recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 lives were lost and many others injured. The French Embassy in India shared that Francois-Noel Buffet, a minister associated with the French Interior Ministry, jointly inaugurated the event with Minister Rai. Milipol India 2025 runs from April 23 to 25 and is organized by Inter Ads Exhibition Pvt Ltd of India and Comexposium of France, with the backing of both countries' ministries of home affairs.

Diverse dignitaries attended the opening, such as the French Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, and Colonel Yannick Vidal from the French National Gendarmerie Intervention Group. Buffet emphasized the deepening cooperation in defense and security between India and France, particularly urging the exploration of emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence. He referred to recent discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on AI, pointing out that such collaboration would bolster efforts to combat cybercrimes and terrorism.

Milipol India 2025 features international exhibitors, including participants from India, France, the Netherlands, the UAE, and the USA, who are presenting state-of-the-art technologies in areas like surveillance, AI-based security systems, and crisis management. The event serves as a platform for state-level conferences and expert panels, where regional security concerns and innovative solutions are actively deliberated, fostering high-level interactions among key stakeholders in defense and policy-making.

Rai noted the strong economic ties between India and France, with France being India's fifth-largest trading partner. He expressed optimism about increasing joint ventures and investments, highlighting the potential for significant growth in the security sector through enhanced collaboration between startups, MSMEs, and industries in both countries.