INDIA-FRANCE RELATIONS

Why in the News?

 India and France have announced Defense Industrial Roadmap for cooperation on defense production during French President’s visit to India as Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations.

More on News

• Roadmap is aimed at deepening the integration between the two countries’ respective defense industrial sectors and to work together to identify opportunities for co-design, co-development, and co-production.
• Defense Industrial collaboration will support a broader progress in scientific, technological, digital and material sciences fields to realize the vision of Viksit Bharat for 2047.

Points of Convergence between India-France 

• Defense and Security: France is playing an instrumental role in India’s defense modernization through transfer of technology, joint ventures, supply of advanced systems, among others.
  • E.g., Agreement for transfer of technology for Scorpene class submarines, supply of Rafale aircrafts, etc.
  • Joint Defense Exercises – Varuna (naval), Garuda (Air Force), and Shakti (Army) – are conducted between the two countries.
  • For counter-terrorism, there exist agency-level cooperation between National Security Guard (NSG) of India and GIGN of France.
  • Both countries resolved to work together for adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) in the UN.
  • Currently, France is the 2nd largest supplier of arms (33%) to India as per SIPRI report 2023
• Indo-Pacific: Both nations are committed to advancement of free, open, inclusive, secure and peaceful Indo-Pacific and beyond.
  • Joint surveillance missions carried out from French island territory of La Reunion in 2020 and 2022.
  • In 2018, both countries agreed on a ‘Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region’ which aims to establish Indo-Pacific Triangular Development Cooperation Fund.
    • Fund aims to facilitate the scaling up of green technologies being developed in the region.
• Developmental: Both countries are collaborating in the domain of smart cities, forging a strong partnership to harness the potential of technology and innovation in urban development.
  • E.g., India-France collaboration on Chandigarh Smart City project.
• Economic and Trade: Currently, France is the 11th largest foreign investor in India.
  • France lent its firm support to the ongoing negotiations for India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
  • Both countries are collaborating in digital payments space with the recent launch of UPI in France.
• Technology: Strategic Space Dialogue, launched in June 2023, to provide strategic guidance and direction across the all aspects of space cooperation.
  • India and France have civil nuclear ties on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. e.g., Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant Project. 
• Global Governance: France reiterated its firm support for India’s permanent membership of the UNSC for reformed and effective multilateralism to sustain an equitable and peaceful international order.
  • France also helped in India’s accession to multilateral export control regimes such as Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Wassenaar Arrangement, and Australia Group.
• Climate Change: International Solar Alliance (ISA) conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilize efforts against climate change through deployment of solar energy solutions.
  • India joined the French-led initiative called the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People.
  • 2021 was declared as Year of Indo-French alliance towards a Greener Planet.
• Cultural and P2P: Partnership Agreement on Migration and Mobility, which came into force in 2021, is an important step in enhancing the mobility of students, graduates, academics, skilled workers, etc.
  • Villa Swagatam is a network of residencies to bring best French talents to 16 existing residencies spread across India. 
    • In doing so, France wishes to create a community of French artists and writers who will learn from India’s rich savoir-faire and history.

Conclusion

India and France have a multifaceted relationship marked by shared values, mutual respect, and strong convergences on different issues of global concern. Simultaneously, there needs to be a stronger focus on B2B cooperation through investment and technology exchange and P2P ties via educational and cultural exchanges to solidify this partnership, enrich mutual understanding.