Formal acceptance event of the first Rafale fighter jet at the Dassault Aviation Plant in Merignac, France in 2019 | Photo Credit: AP
The celebration of 25 years of their strategic partnership (January 26) by India and France presents an important occasion for both to introspect on their relationship. Signed in 1998, the time-tested strategic partnership has continued to gain momentum on shared values and aspirations for peace, stability and, most importantly, their desire for strategic autonomy. There is no real real disagreement between the two countries. France has emerged as a major trading partner of India with an annual trade of $12.42 billion in 2021-22. It is the 11th largest foreign investor in India with a cumulative investment of $10.31 billion from April 2000 to June 2022, representing 1.70% of total FDI inflows into India.
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More importantly, it has emerged as a major defense partner for India, becoming the second largest defense supplier in 2017- 2021. France has emerged as a major strategic partner for India with significant defense deals and increased military-to-military engagement. A prime example of this is the inclusion of the French Scorpene conventional submarines, which are being built in India under a 2005 technology transfer agreement, and the Indian Air Force receiving 36 Rafale fighter jets. The Tata group has also tied up with Airbus to manufacture the C-295 tactical transport aircraft in Vadodara, Gujarat. The line is expected to expand into other civil and military aircraft manufacturing in a joint venture with France. These ties are further strengthened with a strong network of military dialogues and regularly conducted joint exercises – Varuna (Navy), Garuda (Air Force), and Shakti (Army). The importance of defense partnership was further underlined in the recent statement by Emmanuel Lenain, Ambassador of France to India – that France is a willing partner for India as it builds up its national industrial base for defense industry and important strategic defense projects . As the complexities in the international geopolitical system unfold, the two countries have worked towards deepening and broadening their cooperation. France was among the first countries with which India signed a civil nuclear deal. Paris also played a key role in limiting India’s isolation in the non-proliferation order following the 1998 nuclear tests. In a sign of expanding cooperation, France supports India’s bid for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council as well as admission to the Nuclear Suppliers Group. An area of importance to both is climate change, where India has supported France in the Paris Agreement and expressed its strong commitment to mitigating the effects of climate change. New Delhi and Paris launched the International Solar Alliance in 2015 as part of their joint efforts on climate change.
Bilateral Naval Exercise ‘Varun’ | Photo Credit: ANI
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The deepening of the strategic partnership is also reflected in their maritime cooperation. India and France are the resident powers of the Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific region. The importance of the Indian Ocean region was visible during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to New Delhi in 2018 when the leadership of the two countries welcomed the “Joint Strategic Vision of Indo-French Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region” which presented a blueprint. To strengthen ties. In operational terms, the Franco-Indian joint patrols in the Indian Ocean signal New Delhi’s intention to engage with like-minded partners in expanding its footprint in the Indian Ocean.
Exchange of agreements on mutual logistic support between the armed forces. Photo Credit: PTI
Maritime security has gained further momentum as both countries expressed their common vision for a free, fair and open Indo-Pacific. As both countries share a comprehensive strategy for the Indo-Pacific (it seeks to provide comprehensive solutions for maritime security, regional cooperation, climate change adaptation), India and France will establish an Indo-Pacific Trilateral Development Cooperation Fund in September 2022. agreed to establish that will support sustainable innovative solutions for countries in the region. The two partners have formed a trilateral grouping with the UAE to ensure maritime domain awareness and security from the east coast of Africa to the remote Pacific region.
Although there are differences on the Ukraine crisis, there is a broad understanding of each other’s position and both countries are working together to coordinate to play a constructive role in the crisis. It also needs to be noted that Mr. Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are among the few world leaders who have maintained open communication channels with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Both countries share concern over the rise and aggressive behavior of China regionally and globally, and commit to working together to ensure that there is no imbalance in the Indo-Pacific region.
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India’s partnership with France is built on shared values and goals. Both underscored the ‘importance of maintaining strategic autonomy with a shared understanding of global risks in many areas’. There is a high-level Indo-French political dialogue on defence, maritime, counter-terrorism and the Indo-Pacific region. They are now moving forward with cooperation in issues such as digitization, cyber, green energy, a blue economy, ocean science and space.
India and France understand each other’s interests and dependence, be it with regard to China or Russia. In marking a longstanding strategic partnership, a common interest in increasing strategic autonomy and improving resilience lays much ground for further cooperation.
Harsh V. Pant is Vice President of Studies at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), New Delhi and Professor at King’s College London. Ankita Dutta is a Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation