France-India Relations

Introduction: 

• India and France have been close partners since 1947. In 1998, they upgraded to a strategic partnership. The two countries have consistently acted together, building on a high level of mutual trust, and shared commitment.

Key Area of Cooperation:

• Defence cooperation: 

• France became the second-largest defence supplier to India from 2017 to 2021.
• Joint military exercises, including Exercise Shakti (Army), Exercise Varuna (Navy), and Exercise Garuda (Air Force), have further strengthened the defence ties between the two nations.

• Economic cooperation: 

• France is currently India’s ninth-largest FDI contributor.
• In India, there are more than a thousand French businesses, including SMEs, operating in a variety of industries including services, rail transportation, cement, pharmaceuticals, automotive, energy, food processing, and others.
• India and France are working together as part of the “Smart Cities” program. More than twenty cities now employ French enterprises in the sustainable urban development sector (metro, water supply, etc.).

• Geopolitical Cooperation:

• On the international front, France supports India’s aspirations for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council and entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
• Both countries share concerns about climate change and have jointly worked on environmental initiatives, including their participation in the Paris Agreement.
• In 2015, they launched the International Solar Alliance, aiming to promote the use of solar energy and combat climate change.

Recent Visit of PM Modi to France:

• The recent visit of PM Modi led to the signing of a roadmap of the relationship between the two countries till 2047 to mark 50 years of strategic partnership. The roadmap is divided into three key pillars.

• • Pillar 1: Partnership for Security and Sovereignty
  • Pillar 2: Partnership for the Planet and Global Issues 
  • Pillar 3: Partnership for People

source: hindustantimes

Conclusion:

• While military cooperation retains significance, the India-France relationship has potential for growth beyond arms sales. Efforts such as the International Solar Alliance and the pursuit of multilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific could introduce new dimensions to their partnership.

Why in News:

• A joint statement titled “25th Anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between France and India towards a Century of Indo-French Relations”  was released by India and France.