Why India-France ties are strong, what’s the significance of PM Modi’s visit

Source– The post is based on the article “Why India-France ties are strong, what’s the significance of PM Modi’s visit” published in the “The Indian Express” on 14th July 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Bilateral groupings and agreements

Relevance: India and France bilateral relationship

News- PM Modi is on a visit to France.

Why is the partnership between India and France important for India?

Over the past 25 years, four French Presidents and three Indian Prime Ministers have cultivated this relationship.

The strategic partnership between the two countries began immediately after India’s nuclear tests. Most Western nations had distanced themselves from New Delhi.

France holds the distinction of being the first country to recognize India’s strategic significance following the 1998 nuclear tests.

The partnership between India and France is the most crucial strategic alliance for India in Europe. It is characterised by a complete convergence of interests.

D.B. Venkatesh Varma described India and France as “mirror images” in their shared pursuit of strategic autonomy amid global power dynamics.

There is a notable alignment in their strategic outlooks. France consistently supported India at crucial junctures, including during the civil nuclear negotiations with the United States.

What are the areas of cooperation between India and France?

Defence– The defence relationship between India and France is characterised by trust and dependability. Unlike defence deals with the United States, French defence agreements come with no conditions or limitations.

During the Prime Minister’s visit, it is expected that agreements will be made regarding the acquisition of 26 Rafale-M fighters for the Indian Navy. Co-production of three additional Scorpene class submarines at Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd may be agreed.

France has offered its Safran engine for the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, with a commitment for complete technology transfer.

Climate change– The two countries also collaborate closely on climate change initiatives. They signed a Road Map on Green Hydrogen. It aims to integrate the French and Indian hydrogen ecosystems to establish a reliable global supply chain for decarbonized hydrogen.

In February 2022, Road Map on the Blue Economy and Ocean Governance was signed.

Digital technology– There are possibilities for future cooperation in digital technology. A potential roadmap could be established for collaboration on 6G, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing.

An MoU signed recently between NPCI International Payments Limited and Lyra, a French payment services provider, may soon enable UPI and RuPay payments in Europe.

What shows the convergence of India and France on regional and global issues?

Both India and France value their strategic autonomy. Both pursue independence in their foreign policies and seek a multipolar world.

As per French President, Europe must not get entangled in America’s confrontation with China and preserve its “strategic autonomy”.

He warned that Europe’s security dependence on the US could turn European states into “vassals” if the US-China confrontation escalated. He also pushed the idea of Europe as a “third superpower” with France in the lead.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its geopolitical consequences has brought a new European awareness of the strategic importance of India and vice versa.

France has a better appreciation than other European states of New Delhi’s position on the war.

India understands that if there will be a rapprochement between Europe and Russia, it will have to be led by France. For this reason, French support will also be critical to a consensus outcome at the G20 summit.

France is the only EU state with territories in the Indo-Pacific. It could be an important partner for building maritime domain awareness and keep an eye on China’s presence in the region.