India-France Relations

India-France Relations

GS-II: International Relations (IR)

(UPSC/State PSC)

Important for Prelims:

75th Republic Day celebrations, India-France strategic partnership, Chief Guest, Rafale deal, P75 programme, 6-EPR power plant project at Jaitapur, Bilateral military exercises.

Important for Mains:

Major areas of cooperation between India and France, challenges in India-France relations, way forward, Conclusion.

January 27, 2024

Why in news:

French President Emmanuel Macron was the chief guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations in India on January 26, 2024.

Chief guest:

  • In 2023, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was the chief guest.
  • Inviting chief guests started from India's first Republic Day celebration on 26 January 1950.
  • Indonesian President Sukarno was the first chief guest of India's first Republic Day parade.
  • The guest country is selected only after careful consideration of strategic, economic and political interests so that friendly relations can be strengthened between India and the country of the invitee.

India-France Relations:

  • France is an eternal friend of ours and for the sixth time a French leader was made the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations.
  • India and France both share a strategic vision of a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Both countries have also emphasized on multilateralism and strengthening multilateral institutions.
  • PM Modi was in France as the chief guest at the French National Day celebrations in July 2023.
  • The visit was also an occasion to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership. Before this, Macron had come to India for the G-20 summit in September 2023.
  • India and France are long-standing close strategic partners in all strategic sectors including nuclear energy, defense and space. Both have enhanced partnership in the fields of energy, climate change and education while promoting cooperation across industries and start-ups.

Major areas of cooperation between India and France:

  • Defence sector: Cooperation on fighter aircraft and submarines. Delivery of 36 Rafale jets to the Indian Air Force. P75 program for six Scorpene submarines.
  • Space Sector: Strong scientific and commercial partnership between CNES of France and ISRO of India. Cooperation on reusable launchers, Trishna Earth observation satellite, a constellation of maritime surveillance satellites in the Indian Ocean and collision avoidance of satellites in orbit.
  • Civil Nuclear Energy: Progress on 6-EPR power plant project at Jaitapur. Also assured of cooperation on small modular reactors and advanced modular reactors.
  • Indo-Pacific: Plan of a comprehensive strategic roadmap between the two countries for sustainable development projects in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Counter-terrorism: France's GIGN and India's National Security Guard are strengthening their cooperation.
  • Critical Technologies: Collaboration in cutting-edge digital technologies, including supercomputing, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
  • Agreement for supply of supercomputers between Atos and the Ministry of Earth Sciences of India.
  • Civil Aviation: Agreements signed between France and India to expand routes and support the growth of the Indian civil aviation market.
  • Bilateral military exercises: Exercise Shakti (Army), Exercise Varuna (Navy), Exercise Garuda (Air Force), IMEX 22

Challenges in India-France Relations:

Despite the strategic partnership between India and France, some challenges exist in their bilateral relations:

  • Geographical Distance: India-France are geographically distant from each other, which can pose logistical challenges in terms of communication, coordination, and the implementation of joint projects.
  • Cultural Differences: India-France has different cultural backgrounds, languages, and societal norms. These differences can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or miscommunication, making it important for both countries to bridge the cultural gap and promote cultural exchange and understanding.
  • Trade Imbalances: The trade balance between India-France is skewed, with India having a trade deficit. Addressing this imbalance and promoting balanced trade relations is an ongoing challenge.
  • Economic Reforms: India’s economic reforms and regulatory environment can sometimes present challenges for foreign businesses, including those from France. Addressing these issues and creating a more conducive business environment is crucial for further economic cooperation.
  • Strategic Alignment: While India-France shares common interests in areas such as climate change, maritime security, and multilateralism, there may be differences in strategic priorities and approaches. Aligning their strategies and finding common ground can be a challenge in certain areas.
  • Regional Dynamics: Both India-France have their respective regional interests and engagements, which can sometimes create diverging priorities. Balancing regional dynamics and finding ways to align their interests can be challenging.

Way Forward:

The following proactive efforts are needed to promote cooperation between India and France:

  • Cultural and Educational Exchanges: Promoting cultural and educational exchanges helps foster mutual understanding and people-to-people connections. This can involve organizing cultural festivals, exhibitions, and performances, as well as facilitating student exchanges, joint research projects, and academic collaborations.
  • Strategic Sectoral Partnerships: Identifying key sectors of mutual interest, such as defense, space, renewable energy, healthcare, and digital technologies, and establishing strategic partnerships within these sectors can drive focused cooperation and joint projects. This can involve sharing best practices, conducting joint research and development, and promoting technology transfer.
  • Collaboration on Global Challenges: India and France can work together on global challenges, such as climate change, sustainable development, counter-terrorism, and multilateralism. This can include joint initiatives, knowledge-sharing, and coordinated efforts to address these challenges at regional and international platforms.
  • Public Diplomacy and Cultural Diplomacy: Promoting people-to-people exchanges, cultural events, and public diplomacy initiatives, such as film festivals, art exhibitions, and language programs, can deepen cultural understanding, strengthen public support, and create a positive perception of the bilateral relationship.
  • Networking and Partnerships: Encouraging networking and partnerships between businesses, research institutions, civil society organizations, and think tanks in both countries can foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing.
  • Regular High-Level Dialogues: Sustained engagement through regular high-level dialogues, such as bilateral meetings between heads of state, ministers, and officials, can provide a platform for discussing shared goals, identifying areas of cooperation, and addressing challenges.
  • Strengthening Institutional Frameworks: Developing and strengthening institutional frameworks, such as joint committees, working groups, and task forces, dedicated to specific sectors or themes of cooperation, can facilitate ongoing collaboration and coordination between relevant agencies and stakeholders.
  • Trade and Investment Promotion: Encouraging trade and investment flows between the two countries is crucial. This can be achieved through trade missions, business forums, and exchange programs that bring together companies, entrepreneurs, and investors from India and France to explore opportunities, share expertise, and foster partnerships.

Conclusion:

India and France are two major powers in the world that follow independent foreign policy and strategic autonomy, hence if both the powers work together then they can be able to shape a multipolar world.

Source: Indian Express

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Mains Question:

“France, a proponent of independent foreign policy, has been India's natural partner in building a new alliance for an uncertain era.” Comment.