Growing Strategic Partnership Between India and France

Growing Strategic Partnership Between India and France

Main Examination: General Studies Paper 2

(International Relations)

Foreword:

  • The strategic partnership between India and France has grown over the past 25 years. In recent times, the Paris summit between the Prime Minister of India and French President Emmanuel Macron has led to an expansion of relations between the two countries. Keeping in mind the new world order, both the countries are giving a new shape to their relations.
  • The main reason for this is the growing economy of India. Also, in the changing global political and economic system, the outlook of all the countries of the world towards India is becoming positive. Its effect is also visible on France-India relations.

Indo-French Relations

Background

  • For the last two and a half decades, several diplomatic efforts have been made by both the countries. Bilateral relations have been maintained since January 1998 with the aim of enhancing the defense and strategic partnership between the two countries.
  • France has been a strong friend to India since the inception of the relationship and has met Indian needs in changing times. For example, when India conducted the Pokhran nuclear test in May 1998, many western countries, including the US, condemned it and imposed different sanctions on India. Despite this, France stood firmly with India. Even then France did not refuse to export arms to India.

In current context:

  • In the matter of defense cooperation, India has emerged as a major partner for France in a few years.
  • India is a huge market for France in the defense sector.

Major areas of cooperation:

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed on agreements on 63 subjects. As part of the partnership for security, sovereignty, the two countries have agreed to continue cooperation on fighter jets and submarines.
  • Scientific and commercial partnership in the space sector is being enhanced through a number of agreements between CNES of France and ISRO of India, especially with regard to reusable launchers. As part of cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy, the two countries have agreed to enhance cooperation on the 6-EPR power plant project in India's Jaitapur, small modular nuclear plants and advanced plants.
  • Both countries will adopt a roadmap for joint action in the Indo-Pacific region, which will cover all aspects of the comprehensive strategy. Cooperation between the GIGN of France and the National Security Guard of India will be strengthened under the counter-terrorism programme.

Technology Cooperation:

  • Technology cooperation will strengthen cooperation on cutting edge digital technologies, especially supercomputing, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. An agreement worth over Rs 920 crore has been announced between French Atos and India's Ministry of Earth Sciences for the supply of supercomputers.
  • In the field of civil aviation, technical and safety agreements have been signed between France and India for expansion of routes and growth of the Indian civil aviation market. As far as serious global issues are concerned, France and India have committed to adopt an international treaty on plastic pollution. Cooperation in the field of health will be increased. In the field of energy conservation, the French agency has announced funding of Rs 923 crore. Agreements have also been signed regarding education and research.
  • Despite all the steps taken in the direction of self-reliance, India is still in the queue of the world's largest arms importing countries. In contrast, France is the world's third largest arms exporter. There is a huge market for defense products including weapons in the world. The world's top five arms exporters are the US, Russia, France, China and Germany. The share of these five countries in the global arms trade is more than three quarters. Together, these five countries sell weapons worth $85 billion annually.

Defense purchases from France:

  • According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India was the world's largest arms importer between 2018 and 2022. India's arms imports during this period were about 11 percent of the world's total imports. India buys maximum arms from Russia. After Russia, France is the only country from which India buys the most defense products.
  • According to Sipri, Russia's share in India's arms imports is 45 percent. France's share is 29 percent and America's 11 percent. During 2018 to 2022, arms imports from France to India have increased by 489 percent between 2018-22 as compared to 2013-17.

Conclusions:

  • According to defense sector experts, India has taken several steps towards self-reliance in the defense sector. Still, there is a long way to go in ending dependence on external countries. Along with America, France is also eyeing India's defense market. If India reduces the purchase of arms from Russia, then France would like to be an alternative.
  • The US and China are India's two largest trading partners. Due to deteriorating relations with China, India needs to reduce its dependence on China in terms of imports. India is also working on options for this and France is keeping an eye on these changing circumstances. France wants to take advantage of India's huge market.

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Mains Exam Question

The strategic partnership between India and France has grown in recent years. Express your opinion in this context.