India and French Bilateral Relations

Source: This post on India-French Bilateral Relations has been created based on the article “C Raja Mohan writes: As Modi meets Macron, the challenges that they will need to reflect on” published in “Indian Express” on 24^th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

India and French Bilateral Relations, The article discusses French President Macron’s visit to the Republic Day Parade in light of the emerging geopolitical scenario.

A detailed article on India-France Relations can be read here.

Background:

French President Macron is set to visit India as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day Parade.

Last year, India and France had issued an ambitious new framework — Horizon 2047— to advance cooperation in many areas, including defence, space, and nuclear energy over the next 25 years.

What is The Emerging Geopolitical Scenario?

1. Russia-Ukraine crisis and the question of war and peace in Europe.
2. Middle East disturbances, including terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7 last year by Hamas and the massive retaliation by Israel. Also, attacks on Red Sea shipping by the Houthis of Yemen are having a big effect on the global economy.
3. Chances of a return of Donald Trump as the US President. This may lead to renewed political chaos and radical changes of policies in the US. For example, policies on climate change, tariffs on all imports into the US, renegotiation of the terms of engagement with the allies and partners in Europe and Asia.

What Could be The Points of Discussion During Macron’s Visit?

Emerging International Geopolitical Scenario: The rapidly changing regional and international context will be part of the discussion.
This includes bringing peace to Ukraine and security in Central Europe.

Defence Cooperation: Progress on in-principle deals such as India buying 26 Rafale Marine aircraft, building 3 Scorpene submarines and the plans of transfer of jet engine technology to India. This also includes protecting the SLOCs (maritime trade routes) in West Asia.

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What Could The Impact Of The Changing Leadership in The USA?

India and France will have challenges managing the many consequences of Trump’s regional and global policies.

Issues for France:

1. Trump’s hostility to the NATO, of which France is a part.
2. French insistence on a multipolar world.

Issues for India:

1. India, too, is anxious about the dangers of a unipolar world and the potential harm that the US could do to India.

The notion of strategic autonomy is important to foreign policy in India and France both.

Question for practice:

What is the importance of India-French cooperation in light of the emerging geopolitical scenario?