| Introduction: Give the context of the visit of the PM to France. Body: Significance of the bilateral relationship between the two nations. Conclusion: Way forward. |
Recently, PM Modi’s visit to France signified the importance of 25 years of the India-France strategic partnership. PM Modi described the two countries’ ties as “being in excellent shape”, and that they are “strong, trusted, consistent.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the Guest of Honour at France’s Bastille Day parade in Paris.
What is the significance of the relationship and key areas of cooperation outlined in the “Horizon 2047” roadmap?
- Strategic autonomy: The partnership with France is India’s most important strategic partnership in Europe. France stood by India during the 1998 nuclear tests when almost all Western nations condemned the tests. Former diplomats have described India and France as “mirror images of each other” in their common quest for strategic autonomy.
- Horizon 2047: Horizon 2047 sets the course for the France-India bilateral relationship in all areas till 2047, the year that will mark 100 years of India’s Independence, 100 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and 50 years of the Indo-French strategic partnership. The vision document has been established to strengthen cooperation in the areas of defence, space, civil nuclear, renewables, cyberspace, digital technology, counter-terrorism, maritime security, regular defence exercises, and the blue economy.
- Defence Cooperation: France has emerged as the second largest exporter of defence equipment to India in the last ten years. Agreements involving the purchase of Rafale fighter jets, Scorpene submarines & and an agreement between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Safran for helicopter engines are being negotiated and finalized.
- Indo-Pacific: Cooperation in Indo-Pacific is marked by convergence in security and economic interests. France is crucial for India for building maritime domain awareness and keeping an eye on China’s presence in the region, augmenting New Delhi’s participation in the Quad.
- Space cooperation: Numerous agreements between France’s CNES and India’s ISRO are strengthening their scientific and commercial cooperation, particularly in the areas of reusable launchers, the completion of the joint Earth observation satellite TRISHNA, the first phase of the constellation of maritime surveillance satellites in the Indian Ocean, and the defense of Indo-French satellites in orbit against the possibility of collision.
- Energy cooperation: Both nations are part of the International Solar Alliance to focus on renewable energy. The two sides have signed a Road Map on Green Hydrogen, which aims to establish a reliable and sustainable value chain for a global supply of decarbonized hydrogen.
Conclusion:
The roadmap for bilateral relations as outlined in Horizon 2047 has three pillars: partnership for security and sovereignty; partnership for the planet; partnership for the people. Both nations value their strategic autonomy, and independence in world affairs and seek a multipolar world within the framework of international law.
