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Introduction
India’s relationship with France undergoes a sea change due to the evolving socio-economic changes. But in the case of France, it has not only remained warm but also grown in recent times. Many experts have suggested that France has replaced Russia as an ally of India.
Despite a bitter past, India France relations conducted gracefully. France was one of the colonial rulers of India up to even the 1960’s. For the two nations to then move on, having recognized the development potential of India and its emerging power status is a remarkable feat. This has failed in the case of India-Britain and India-EU relations.
The Indian Diaspora in France (French: Des Indiens en France) is a political organisation that represents the Indian minority living in France. The group was formed in 2001, following a meeting between members of the French-Indian community and then French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, who at the time planned to convene a conference on racism to tackle discrimination against minorities in France.
Let us explore various facets of India France Relations:
Defense/Strategic Partnership
- Defense industrial cooperation has been one of the mainstays of the strategic partnership between India and France. Cooperation in this field has boosted the relationship between the two nations.
- India has signed a ‘Strategic Agreement’ with more than 35 countries, but the deal signed with France in 1998 remains unique. While many other partnerships have run into trouble or are clouded in differences over various issues, the association has been growing with France. The area of cooperation now extends to technologies related to nuclear energy, space, defense, cyber security, intelligence-sharing, and counterterrorism, amongst others.
- France has supported India in its ‘Make in India’ program and extended its support to all forms of defense manufacturing, which contributed to India France Relations.
- France is a critical partner of the Indian Navy in its P-75I Program, which seeks to build 24 naval submarines by 2030, 18 of which will be conventional and six shall be nuclear.
- The Indian Air Force has a challenge in replacing its depleting squadrons of fighter aircraft. It is here that France, with its solid manufacturing base in the aviation sector, can play a critical role. Already many companies such as Airbus are in the process of setting up their manufacturing facilities in India. This will help address concerns related to National Security and help in the creation of jobs within India.
- 36 Rafale Fighter Jets will soon be handed over to the Indian Air Force. During the Galway Valley dispute with China, a few jets were handed over to India.
- India France Relations strengthened after France supported India for its bid for the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.
Maritime Cooperation
- This is yet another growing area of cooperation between the two countries with tremendous scope for collaboration. France is, in fact, one of the few nations with whom India actively cooperates on the oceanfront.
- Amongst the various agreements signed, the Agreement on Exchange of Surveillance Information stands out as a pact that actively roots out piracy in the high seas and ensures the peaceful movement of ships and vessels in the Ocean.
- Recognizing the importance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), both sides have signed the ‘Mutual Logistics Support Agreement,’ which would enable the navies of both the nations to operate from each other’s naval bases in the IOR.
- French military bases exist in Djibouti, Abu Dhabi, and Reunion islands, and India is building naval bases in Mauritius, Duqm (Oman), and Assumption islands (Seychelles).
- In 2016, India and France signed a ‘White shipping agreement’ to encourage the movement of commercial ships.
Economic cooperation
- The bilateral trade between the two countries is on an upswing. Trade-in 2018 was 11.52 billion euros, which increased 7.60% over the corresponding year. The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signing would lead to a significant rise in trade.
- France took the position of 9th largest foreign investor in India.
- Further, 39/ 40 companies listed on the French stock exchange are conducting their business operations in India.
- The lack of an FTA with the larger European Union has curtailed the full expansion of economic ties between India and France.
- France, an influential nation in the EU, can play a crucial role in concluding the deal, which would help India and Europe.
- France has also been trying to attract Indian investments from Britain. The latter serves as a gateway to Indian companies operating in Europe. Post BREXIT, France hopes to become the new gateway for these companies.
Energy Cooperation
- The two nations have signed the ‘Civil Nuclear cooperation agreement .’ Cooperation in nuclear energy has increased after the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) granted a waiver to India in 2006.
- France has agreed to construct six nuclear reactors in India for civilian purposes. • France and India also launched the ‘International Solar Alliance’ in 2015 after the signing of the Paris Agreement.
Cooperation on Counterterrorism
- Following the Paris bombings, both countries strengthened their global terrorism cooperation.
- France backs India’s call for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the United Nations.
- There is an Indo-French strategic partnership and a bilateral economic relations cooperation plan in place to deal with bio-terrorism threats.
Conclusion
Both India France relations share the same vision for a new balanced multi-polar world that must be based on the rule of law. They also share the same vision of the major challenges of the times, be they security developments in Asia and the Indo-Pacific, or the fight against international terrorism. So, the cooperation between India and France at multiple levels can create a new world order for the common benefit of the international community.
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