Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recently concluded historic visit to France provided a welcome opportunity to re-invigorate and re-calibrate 25 years of a highly successful strategic partnership. The Indo-French connection enjoys support across the political divide in both countries. Four French Presidents and three Indian Prime Ministers have nurtured this relationship over the last quarter century.
India and France have convergence of views on various global issues
Over 25 years, the relationship has been carefully nurtured, with the two sides cooperating bilaterally in multilateral forums including in the UN Security Council. There is growing convergence of views on issues ranging from reformed and effective multilateralism, international terrorism, climate change, sustainable development and the Indo-Pacific.
France stood by India in tough times
Prime Minister Modi was Guest of Honour at the iconic Bastille Day military parade on July 14, 2023, as part of his visit to France to commemorate the 25th year of Franco-Indian strategic partnership. This was no coincidence. France has stood by India through trying times. In May 1998, India conducted Pokhran II, a series of five nuclear bomb test explosions at the Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range. The West, excluding France, was quick to condemn India and impose sanctions. Earlier, President Chirac was India’s Guest of Honour on January 26 1998 and launched the strategic partnership with India. It embodied the will of both nations to develop their respective strategic independence in order to maintain peace and global security.
During the tensions with China in the summer of 2020, France was quick to offer support and assistance. India’s French connection is rooted in a mutual understanding of the strategic autonomy both countries seek as also their joint quest for a multi-polar world.
Indians swell with pride when PM Modi introduced President Macron to the Commanders of the Tri Services, including the IAF lady pilot
This was a visit rich in both symbolism and substantive outcomes. The hearts of Indians everywhere, in India and globally, swelled with pride to see the PM introducing President Macron to the Commanders of the Tri Services, including the IAF lady pilot who was the Indian Air force commander. Their sterling performance brought repeated applause from the massive crowds jamming the iconic Champs Elysee, which has a striking resemblance to our Kartavya Path.
Shared Principles
Responding to President Emmanuel Macron’s video, offering a glimpse of PM Modi’s visit to France, shared on his Twitter profile, our PM noted that the bond between India and France transcends time and resonates with their shared principles. Our PM tweeted: “India and France…a bond that transcends time, echoing in our shared values and kindling our collective dreams. I will always cherish my recent visit to France”.
President Macron’s two-minute long video was shared with a message reading “To the people of India, trust and friendship.” The video showed PM Modi receiving the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest civilian or military honour, as well as our Tri Services marching in the Bastille Day parade.
History creates as French President hosts PM Modi at the Louvre
History was again made when, for the first time since 1957, when Queen Elizabeth II was hosted at the Louvre, the world most famous museum and the cultural landmark of France, PM Modi was hosted at the Louvre and received by President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. He was also awarded the Legion of Honour, France’s highest civilian and military honour.
India and France Enhance Cooperation in defence and nuclear energy sector
The visit was more than just optics. As a result of the visit, the two countries agreed to further strengthen cooperation in strategic sectors such as defence space and nuclear energy. It outlined a roadmap for the next 25 years of India-France ties.
The substantive outcomes are epoch making. The well known political analyst and thinker Christophe Jaffrelot noted: “The ties between India and France are dominated by security objectives in which non-state actors are marginal players”.
France, like India, has huge stakes in the Indo-Pacific. It owns a 2.7 square million km Special Economic Zone in the Ocean. France has also become the second largest defence supplier to India, after Russia. The US is far behind at third place. There is also nuclear cooperation and support to India’s civil nuclear energy sector.
The basic approach on security issues of both countries are similar and based on their perception of core national interests, national identity and strategic independence. Both prefer a multi-polar world and strategic autonomy.
Know about omissions made in joint statement issued by India and France
There were, however, some interesting omissions. The joint statement titled ‘Horizon 2047:25th Anniversary of the Indo French Strategic Partnership, Towards a Century of Indo- France Relations’ only welcomes the 36 Rafale jets that have already been delivered to the Indian Air Force and the success of the P 75 programme that includes six Scorpene submarines.
Despite our Ministry of Defence stating that the ‘Defence Acquisition Council’ had granted ‘Acceptance of Necessity’ for the Rafale deal as well as three Scorpene submarines ahead of the visit, it found no mention in the joint statement. There was no reference to the decision to purchase 26 Rafale Marine fighter aircraft from France to arm our aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. Nor did the joint statement mention the MOU signed for construction of three more Scorpene submarines in India.
Experts informally indicated that negotiations are at an advanced stage for the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine fighters and three more Scorpene nuclear submarines. Final details on ‘timelines and ‘some confidential specifications’ are being worked out. It would then be approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security.
Another important omission was that of a roadmap on the joint development of a combat aircraft engine, earlier hailed as a “ground breaking” moment in cooperation in aeronautical technologies. It cannot be denied that India is in talks between DRDO and Safran for developing aircraft engines for the AMCA Mk II which represents the futuristic fifth generation advanced medium combat aircraft for our IAF, with full transfer of technology.
These elements were not included in the text of the final joint statement presumably because of the election season in India, leading up to 2024.
Foreign Secretary Kwatra put it succinctly: “The Horizon 2047 document looks at the bilateral defence and security partnership from a more holistic and comprehensive manner rather than a set of individual transactions or procurements”. FS added: “The reason for that is because the metrics of defence partnership are not defined by a single acquisition, single procurement or a single transaction”.
Whatever the spin by MEA, it cannot be denied that a very large number of agreements including joint development of combat aircraft engines and helicopters are being negotiated and finalised. Some of them involve joint production and significant technology transfer. This is crucial for India’s defence modernisation, diversification of supplies and ‘Make in India’ projects.
Nor can domestic politics either blur PM Modi’s vision for India or slow India’s inexorable march towards great power status. It was PM Modi who cited the ‘Maha Upanishads’ in a verse that has become synonymous with India’s soft power and growing international status.
अयं निजः परो वेति गणना लघु चेतसाम् | उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्
“Ayang nijah paro veti Ganna laghu chetasaam
Udarcharitana tu vasudaiva kutumbakam”
Simply stated:
“This is mine, this is yours,
This thinking is for the narrow-minded.
It is only for the generous hearted that the earth is one family”.
The French visit certainly demonstrated that India will spare no efforts in achieving ‘Vasudhaiva kutumbakam’.
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