India and France celebrate the 25th anniversary of strategic partnership this year. In this context, let's discuss Indo–French relations in detail. This topic is particularly important if you are preparing for any competitive exams. Since the end of the Cold War, India has signed “Strategic Partnership” agreements with more than 35 countries. Among the earliest was the one with France. In fact, France was the first major Western country to build a long-term strategic partnership with India.
This partnership demonstrates the long-standing trust and solidarity between France and India over the past 25 years, including in difficult times. The relationship has been positive since India’s independence. Since the 1960s, French aircraft and helicopters have been part of the Indian air fleet. France recognized and associated with India's strategic position in the greater South Asian area. During the 1971 Indo-Pakistan conflict, for example, France sided with India. This occurred even though the United States actively supported Pakistan during the conflict.
In 1984, the US backed out of the agreement to supply nuclear fuel for the Tarapur nuclear plant citing domestic legal constraints. France had stepped in then to supply nuclear fuel. Though the relationship was constrained by the Cold War, France had proved to be one of the most reliable partners in the West in the Cold War era.
The late 1990s was a watershed moment in the relationship. France was one of the first countries that accommodated India’s position after the 1998 Nuclear Tests. The visits of President Jacques Chirac to Delhi in January 1998 and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s subsequent trip to Paris later in the year brought a tremendous boost to India’s foreign relations at the end of the 1990s.
The most striking feature was the setting up of a framework for a strategic partnership. Before reaching Delhi, the French president had declared that he was keen on an ‘ambitious partnership’. Chirac saluted India, “a nation which has affirmed its personality on the world stage”. He said that he had come to show that “France wanted to accompany India in its potent march [towards the future].”
Chirac’s words were not mere political niceties. When India conducted its nuclear tests in Pokhran in May ‘98, France was one of the few countries that did not condemn Delhi (or impose sanctions). This was greatly appreciated in Delhi and when Prime Minister Vajpayee went to Paris in October, the new strategic dialogue could take its first concrete steps. These events set in motion a closer collaboration.
From geopolitics to space cooperation, Paris has always been supportive of New Delhi’s decisions. India France's Relationship has continued to move forward on a steady and clear course. India’s External Affairs Minister remarked, “India’s ties with France are based on a great sense of trust and it is a relationship that has been free from sudden shifts and surprises seen in other cases. During the 36th round of the Indo-French Strategic Dialogue held on January 5, 2023, Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Bonne. The discussions aimed at presenting a forward-looking strategic roadmap for the bilateral partnership in the fields of defense and security to address contemporary geopolitical trends.
This year 2023, India and France are celebrating 25 years of their strategic partnership and it provides a unique opportunity for introspection. Over the past two and a half decades, India and France have developed a close and dynamic relationship based on shared values and a commitment to promoting peace, security, and sustainable development. This strategic partnership has been a major driving force behind their collaboration in key areas such as trade, defense, science, technology, and culture. As the two nations celebrate this milestone, it is a fitting time to reflect on the successes and achievements of this special relationship and look ahead to a bright and prosperous future. Let’s see What are the Key Areas of Cooperation between the two Nations?
Defence:
France has emerged as a key defense partner for India, becoming the second-largest defense supplier in 2017- 2021. In 2018, Indian Prime Minister N. Modi stated that India considered France one of its most trusted defense partners. France is a major strategic partner for India with crucial defense deals and increased military-to-military engagement.
Some of the examples are,
Induction of the French Scorpene conventional submarines, being built in India under the technology transfer agreement of 2005. INS Vagir – 5th submarine in the Kalvari Class, commissioned on 23/01/2023. The Indian Air Force fulfilled orders of 36 Rafale fighter jets. The Tata group’s tie-up with Airbus to manufacture C-295 tactical transport aircraft in Vadodara, Gujarat. France is willing to partner with India as it builds its national industrial base for the defense industry and for critical strategic defense projects
India-France Joint Military Exercises
Bilateral military exercises between the three services, beginning with the navies in 2001, followed by the air forces in 2004, and the armies in 2011, have now become a regular feature.
Orion 2023
Exercise Orion - first overseas exercise for Rafale aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The largest-ever multinational exercise was carried out by the French defense forces which involved their Army, Navy, and Air Force. The backdrop of this exercise is the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. NATO led by the US is opposing Russian moves against Ukraine.
MARITIME COOPERATION
Both India and France have evolved as significant strategic actors in the Indian Ocean Region. The deepening of the strategic partnership between India and France is also visible in their maritime cooperation. India-France Partnership Provides a Model for East-West Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
Both countries have significant interests in the Indian Ocean Region. India, with its 7500-kilometer-long coastline, more than 1380 islands, and 2 million square kilometers of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), is a key participant in the region. This region facilitates much of India's commerce with its key commercial partners. Across the Indian Ocean, about 80% of the country's crude oil consumption is imported. France, on the other hand, is a state of the Indian Ocean Area due to its overseas possessions of the Mayotte and La Réunion Islands, as well as a substantial EEZ. There are 4,100 French forces stationed in the Indian Ocean, including deployments in both overseas territories, Djibouti and Abu Dhabi. As a result of their considerable interests, India and France have a vested interest in ensuring peace and stability in the IOR. Unlike other European powers that seek to deepen their footprints in the Indo-Pacific region largely for economic gains, France’s interests are notably political-security, given that only 8 percent of French commercial goods pass through the South China Sea. China’s expansive activities in the Indian and Pacific Oceans continue to provoke France’s strategic interests.
In recent years, France has been particularly concerned about China's provocation of European nations. China's interactions include four main dimensions: dual-use infrastructure development, political-diplomatic relations, connectivity initiatives, and essential military-motivated operations.
To address these issues, France became one of the first European governments to define an Indo-Pacific policy. Macron has emphasized how France’s Indo-Pacific strategy will not be determined by the binary power competition between the United States and China, rather Paris will seek to practically engage based on shared interests and concerns while also prioritizing the diversification of partners.
In tandem with France’s growing interest in the Indian Ocean and the wider Indo-Pacific, President Macron suggested a formulation of a new alliance, the Paris-Delhi-Canberra axis, involving France, India, and Australia to aid the joint vision of the three like-minded countries for the Indo-Pacific. Interestingly, this was proposed by Macron in his speech at Garden Island in Australia in 2018, where Macron further emphasized the need for stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific to be mindful of Chinese overtures instead of its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. Australia, India, and France are located in the Indian Ocean in a unique way covering the contours of the ocean space. However, even during instances of divergences between Australia and France, as was witnessed in the aftermath of the formulation of AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, and the US), nullifying a pre-existing defense deal between France and Australia, ties between India and France did not whither.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Macron reiterated the need to find ‘new and innovative ways’ to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. In 2021, India joined the French flagship naval exercise, La Perouse, for the first time. India joined the cohort with the other three QUAD countries, Australia, Japan, and the US, prompting speculations of a ‘QUAD plus France’ formulation.
In recent years, there has been significant progress in India-France maritime security cooperation, with a focus on the Indian Ocean Region. The two governments agreed on a Joint Strategic Vision of the India-France Partnership in the Indian Ocean Area in March 2018.
India and France in September 2022 agreed to set up an Indo-Pacific Trilateral Development Cooperation Fund that will support sustainable innovative solutions for countries in the Indo-Pacific region. The two partners have formed a trilateral grouping with the United Arab Emirates to ensure security from the east coast of Africa to the far Pacific.
Civil Nuclear Cooperation:
France was among the first countries with which India signed a civil nuclear deal. Paris also played a critical role in limiting India’s isolation in the non-proliferation order after the 1998 nuclear tests.
Cooperation at International Forum
France has backed India’s permanent candidature at the UN Security Council as well as the G8. In addition, France is also part of the India-France-Australia Trilateral Dialogue that supports a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
France has provided consistent support to India’s candidature for the membership of all four Multilateral Export Control regimes, France’s support was vital in India’s accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) and the Australian Group (AG). It continues to support India’s bid for accession to the NSG.
Climate Cooperation:
Both countries are concerned about climate change. Their leadership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) which was launched in 2015 demonstrates their commitment to climate change. France and India founded the International Solar Alliance alongside COP21, and it is now working all over the world. India has supported France in the Paris Agreement expressing its strong commitment to mitigating the effects of climate change. The two parties have agreed to declare 2021-2022 the Indo-French Year of the Environment, with five major themes: environmental protection, climate change, biodiversity conservation, sustainable urban development, and the development of renewable energies and energy efficiency.
Space Cooperation:
France has supported India’s space program since its inception. France helped in setting up the Sriharikota launch site and shared the Centaure and Viking rocket technologies in the 1970s. India and France have continued to strengthen their cooperation in the field of space in recent years. Some of the recent developments in their space collaboration include.
ISRO-CNES Joint Working Group: In 2020, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) established a Joint Working Group to further enhance their cooperation in the field of space. Joint Mars Mission: In 2020, ISRO and CNES announced plans to collaborate on a joint Mars mission shortly.
Collaboration on Space Debris: India and France have also been working together on addressing the issue of space debris. Joint Earth Observation Mission: In 2021, ISRO and CNES announced plans to collaborate on a joint Earth observation mission, which will involve the development of a satellite to study the Earth's atmosphere and climate.
Trade & Commerce:
France has emerged as a key trading partner of India with annual trade of $12.42 billion in 2021-22. France is the 11th largest foreign investor in India with a cumulative investment of $10.31 billion in the past two decades, which represents 1.70% of the total foreign direct investment inflows into India.
Civil nuclear deal:
France was among the first countries with which India signed a civil nuclear deal. Paris also played a critical role in limiting India’s isolation in the non-proliferation order after the 1998 nuclear tests.
India-France on Russia-Ukraine Crisis:
While there are divergences over the Ukraine crisis, there is a broad understanding of each other’s position and both countries(India-France) are working together to coordinate on playing a constructive role in the crisis. It also needs to be noted that Mr. Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are among the few world leaders who have maintained open communication channels with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
India- France Against Terrorism
India and France have consistently condemned terrorism and have resolved to work together for the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) in the UN. During the visit of President Macron to India in March 2018, India and France reaffirmed their strong determination to eliminate terrorism everywhere it is to be found and condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including cross-border terrorism and terror-related incidents in France and India.
What is the significance of the India-France relationship?
Securing the Indo-Pacific:
India will require the support of France for maintaining the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific region and countering the growing Chinese aggression.
High Degree of Trust:
France has stood by India through thick and thin, beginning in 1998 when India conducted nuclear tests. Both nations share a high degree of mutual trust that allows them to cooperate on bilateral and multilateral issues. France’s support will be crucial to India’s entry into the UNSC and the NSG. The cooperation between them can be helpful in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and in implementing the Glasgow Climate Pact.
Global Stability:
Cooperation between the two can help in checking Russia’s assertiveness in Europe and China’s assertiveness in Asia, thereby ensuring global stability and world order. Both India and France are now forging ahead with cooperation in issues such as digitization, cyber, green energy, a blue economy, ocean sciences, and space’.
What are the Challenges in India-France Relations?
Many projects that have been negotiated between the countries have not been operationalized. For instance, the Jaitapur nuclear project has been stalled and is facing a lot of domestic impediments.
Free Trade with EU:
Despite having good relations, France and India don’t have a free trade agreement between them. Further, no progress is being made on the India-EU Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) as well.
Different stand on the Ukraine conflict:
France has openly criticized the Russian invasion. India has a more restrained stance on the conflict. The difference in the response hasn’t impacted their bilateral relationship till now. However, if the conflict gets prolonged, then it might impact the India-France relationship as well.
Operating at low potential:
While the governments share a robust relationship, the business relationships are weak. Bilateral trade is less than half of India’s trade with Germany. The target of €12 billion set in 2008 remains elusive.
Absence of Free Trade Agreement (FTA):
Despite having good relations, France and India don’t have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between them. Further, no progress is being made on the India-EU Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) as well.
Defense and Security Cooperation:
Despite a strong defense partnership, the two countries have different priorities and approaches toward defense and security cooperation. India's focus on its neighborhood and its "non-aligned" policy can sometimes clash with France's global interests.
Trade Imbalances:
Despite being significant trade partners, there is a trade imbalance between India and France, with France exporting more to India than the other way around. This imbalance has been a source of concern for India, and both countries are looking for ways to address it.
While the governments share a robust relationship, the business relationships are weak. Bilateral trade is less than half of India’s trade with Germany. The target of €12 billion set in 2008 remains elusive. French FDI has picked up in recent years, but hardly does justice to the fact that there are more than 800 French enterprises in India
Intellectual Property Rights:
India has been criticized by France for not adequately protecting intellectual property rights, which has affected French businesses operating in India.
China’s Factor:
China's increasing dominance in the Indian Ocean region has become a source of concern for both India and France, as it has the potential to disrupt the regional balance of power and undermine regional stability and security.
What lies ahead?
What makes the bilateral ties between the two states truly unique is that India’s partnership with France also leverages New Delhi to seek similar such partnerships with other European players.. First, India can leverage its good relations with France and convert the idea of India-EU BTIA into reality.
Second, both the Indian PM and the French President have a good relationship with the President of Russia. Therefore, they can jointly work to bring the war in Europe to an end. Third, both countries should create better options for small countries in the Indo-Pacific region and enable them to make sovereign and free choices. They should neither be subjected to domination nor caught in a binary power rivalry.
Fourth, a joint working group can be created to expeditiously complete the stalled projects by duly addressing the reasons hindering their completion. Fifth, India and France are fully committed to pursuing the implementation of the Partnership Agreement on Migration and Mobility, which entered into force on 1 October 2021. Both sides will continue to work jointly to increase the mobility of students, graduates, professionals, and skilled workers while strengthening their efforts to combat irregular migration.
What should be the Way Forward?
Increased Trade and Investment:
The two countries can work towards increasing bilateral trade and investment. This can be done by setting up joint ventures, expanding trade agreements, and promoting cross-border investment.
Defense Cooperation:
India and France have a strong defense relationship, and this can be further strengthened through increased cooperation in areas like joint military exercises, defense technology transfers, and collaboration in defense production.
Cultural Exchange:
Encouraging cultural exchange between the two countries through programs like student exchanges, arts and cultural events, and language programs can help to deepen the relationship and foster mutual understanding.
Climate Change and Energy:
India and France can work together to address the global challenges of climate change and energy security. This can be done through collaboration on clean energy research and development, promoting the use of renewable energy, and reducing carbon emissions.
Scientific and Technological Cooperation:
The two countries can collaborate in areas of science and technology, including research and development, innovation, and the transfer of technology. This can help to enhance the competitiveness of their economies and create new opportunities for growth
Even though the above-specified areas provided a robust basis for engagement, it remained primarily at a government-to-government level. In recent years, it was clear that strengthening business-to-business and people-to-people relationships was essential for a wider partnership.
This relationship is not limited to the strategic partnership: in recent years, it has been broadened to form a partnership on major global challenges for the planet (climate, environment, protecting the oceans, health).
Furthermore, the adoption of the bilateral roadmap on the Blue Economy and Ocean governance in February 2022 officialized the Indo-French commitment to sustainable development, the rational use of marine resources, and research in the area of oceans. The relationship is also based on increasingly vibrant human and economic exchanges.
The President of the French Republic has thus set an objective to host increasing numbers of Indian students in France by 2025. Furthermore, there are over 540 French companies and subsidiaries in India, employing almost 300,000 people.
France and India are also continuing to strengthen their trade and investment in the areas of clean energy, smart cities, new technologies, and health. As France and India celebrate the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership, now is the time to show "even greater ambition", French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said.
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