French President Emmanuel Macron
arrived in India on March 9th on a four-day state visit, two years
after his predecessor Francois Hollande graced as guest of honor for Republic Day
Celebrations in 2016. France has the unique distinction of being the guest at
Republic day for maximum of five times so far followed by Bhutan. India always
had stable and steady relations with France over past seventy years. The
Indo-French engagement has been truly multi-dimensional with the expanse of
cooperation encompassing defence, strategic, maritime, economic, railways,
smart cities, waste management, space, education, climate change, renewable
energy, science and technology.
Macron’s visit to India comes at a
time when both countries keen on promoting multipolar world and wary of
burgeoning geopolitical volatility have expressed willingness to work with
like-minded countries. This new strength of shared interests has infused new
energy in the bilateral relations. Further the leaders of both countries Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and President Macron known for their dynamism and
reformist attitude have certainly added momentum to the otherwise
unostentatious relationship. Besides, these attributes, like India, France is
now growing skeptical of Chinese expansionist spree under the ruse of contorted
globalization and global connectivity. Indeed, President Macron, during his
China visit openly questioned the dubiety of win-win paradigm of BRI (Belt Road
Initiative). While France evinced interest in working with China over Africa’s
security issues, it has its own apprehensions. Aggressive posturing of China in
part, has unarguably driven France to seek deep strategic partnership with
India. France, keen on securing its strategic interests in the deeply contested
Indo-Pacific region is now looking forward to engaging with Asian partners.
India on the other hand, keen on expanding its maritime presence is now eagerly
securing multiple strategic engagements. Inking the maritime partnership
agreement with France during Macron’s current visit had amply enhanced India’s
strategic depth in Indian Ocean Region (IOR). In all, both countries signed 14
agreements and pledged to contribute towards climate change. France has been
instrumental in supporting India’s membership to Wassenaar Agreement and
Australian Group.
Defence Cooperation
No sooner India attained
independence, it established diplomatic relations with France. Compelled by
cross-border threats of war from Pakistan, instead of relying on UK for
weapons, India chose France to import defense supplies in 1949. Despite
procurement of weapons India remained largely indifferent to France for its
colonial legacy. But the relations began to gain more strength after French
completely withdrew from Asian countries. But after India’s bitter defeat at
the hands of China in 1962, India continued to purchase more weapons from
France which adopted relatively neutral stance as against US and UK whose
defense links and foreign policy was inveterately linked. Soon it began to
assist defence R&D through transfer of technology and arranged a tie up
with European Missile Consortium, MBDA. After 1965 war, while US and UK imposed
arms embargo on both India and Pakistan, France withdrew embargo in 1966 and
started supplying spare parts. By 1980, India diversified defense procurements
and reduce reliance on Soviet Union. Eventually, France became India’s major
defense partner and began annual tri-services joint exercises in 1983- Exercise
Shakti of Army, Varuna of Navy and Garuda of Air Force. In 1982, sale of US
F-16s to Pakistan prompted India to place order for an advanced jet-fighter,
Mirage 2000 with Dassault Aviation of France, which gave India an edge over
Pakistan in the Kargil war of 1999. India became first user of Mirage jets when
the first set arrived in 1985. By 1997, Ministry of Defence approved a plan for
purchase of 24 submarines under Project 75. India and France established
strategic partnership in 1998 and France unambiguously supported India’s
nuclear war and refrained from imposing sanctions. By 2005, India signed $3
billion worth technology transfer deal for obtaining Scorpene class of French
submarines. Accordingly, all the submarines are assembled at the Mazagon dock,
Mumbai. Construction began in 2006 jointly with energy company DNS, The Thales
and the first submarine INS Kalavari was commissioned into Indian Navy in
December 2017. During French President
Jacques Chirac visit to India, both countries elevated the partnership signing
cooperation agreements in civil nuclear, space and defence sectors.
In a bid to replenish depleting air
fleet, India wanted to buy 126 fighters and by 2012, selected Rafale fighters
of Dassault Aviation with a caveat for technology transfer. As per the
agreement, 18 fighters will be purchased in fly away condition and the rest
will be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautical Limited. But the deal was
stalled over issues of production constraints in India. Prime Minister Modi,
revived this deal and requested delivery of 36 jets off-shelf in the first ever
government to government agreement. Finally, India clinched the deal worth $9.7
billion with France for 36 jets in 2016. During the current visit Macron
expressed France’s interest in supplying 36 more jets but India maintained
stoic silence. Both countries signed a logistics maritime agreement. India
welcomed French investments under Make in India initiative and encouraged talks
between defence institutions of both countries towards development of combat
aircraft engine. Both countries condemned terrorism in all forms and
manifestations and called for early adoption of Comprehensive Convention on
Counter Terrorism (CCIT). Concerned by increasing spate of terror strikes by
home-grown terrorists, countries have enhanced scope of cooperation in counter
terrorism, cyber security and radicalization.
Civil Nuclear Cooperation
India and France signed the
landmark civil nuclear agreement in 2008 on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s
visit to Paris. By 2010, both countries inked a General Framework Agreement and
Early Works Agreement between the NPCIL and Areva (now EDF) for construction of
nuclear project at Jaitapur, Maharashtra. But progress in implementation of the
project for long was obstructed by India’s Nuclear Liability. Underscoring the
need for expediting Jaitapur for building six EPR nuclear reactors with a
capacity of 9.6 GW, leaders of countries assured that project will commence by
the end of 2018. Once installed it will be World’s largest nuclear plant.
Reiterating commitment towards expediting the project, France has assured fuel
supply and finances if needed.
Space Cooperation
India and France celebrated 50
years of space cooperation in 2015 which paved way for transfer of solid
propulsion technologies, development of sounding rockets, Belier and centaure
and establishment of Thumbha Equatorial Launch pad in Kerala. France helped
India in setting up Sriharikota launch pad, liquid engine development and
launching of satellites. In 1981, Ariane-1 rocket of France launched India’s
first communication satellite and ever since number of India’s heaviest
satellites are launched by Ariane rockets. Both countries signed a strategic
partnership agreement in space in 1988. Since 1990, India and France jointly
collaborated towards launch of Megha-Tropiques, climate satellite in 2011.
Indo-French Joint Framework for exploration of space for peaceful purposes was
signed in 2008. ISRO is now second partner of CNES (French Space Agency). CNES
has even promised to provide cameras to Indian Space startup “Team Indus”. Modi
and Macron unveiled bilateral “Joint Vision for Space cooperation” which is
closer to realizing the Indo-French third satellite mission, TRISHNA. Further
ISRO is all set to accommodate French Instrument on India’s OCEANSAT-3
satellite.
Education, Science and Technology
Keen on promoting the flow of more
Indian students to France, President Macron held a townhall with students in
Delhi. Currently, 2500 students pursue higher studies in France as against more
that 250000 students from China. France wants to increase the number to 10,000
by 2020. Coinciding with Macron’s visit first Indo-French Knowledge Summit on
research and higher education was conducted in Delhi on Mar 10th and
11th. Several MoU were signed
for mutual recognition of degrees. For the past 30 years, Indo-French Centre
for Promotion of Advance Research (CEFIPRA) has been working towards skill
development toward enhancing employability of youth. Both countries have tried
to convene a committee towards increasing the scope of the center.
Smart Cities
India government has roped in
France for its Smart City Development program which envisages to develop 1000
cities. France has currently adopted three Indian cities- Chandigarh, Nagpur
and Puducherry. Satisfied by the progress of this program, India and France
development Agency (ADF) signed a loan agreement worth $123 million in support
Smart Cities Mission. Similarly, underscoring importance of mobility in modern
living, both countries agreed for semi-upgrade of railways, establishment of
permanent Indo-French Railway Forum. Marsellie is entering into a sister port
arrangement with Mumbai. Various French companies are winning contracts in road
construction projects, water supplies and waste management.
Further, to encourage temporary
circular migration and return of skills to home country, India and France
signed Mobility and Migration partnership agreement.
Economic Cooperation
Despite robust engagement with
France at various levels, bilateral trade more or less remained same
registering a marginal increase to $11 billion, nearly half of India’s trade
with Germany and UK. France, the third largest economy in Europe is ninth
biggest trade partner of India among EU countries. Defence supplies constitute
bulk of India’s trade with France with business in other remaining stagnant.
Countries are now aiming to reach $18.5 billion or Euro 15 billion by 2022.
Around 300 French companies that have invested in India, most of them are large
enterprises and the small and medium enterprises that form the bulk of French
economy are completely absent. Realizing this lacuna, countries are now
encouraging the investments by SMEs. To this end, India has launched Access to
India Initiative to assist the investments by SMEs in manufacturing and other
allied sectors.
Renewable Energy and International Solar Alliance
Ever since, he was chief minister
of Gujarat, Modi has demonstrated a great interest towards harnessing the solar
energy to meet energy requirement. Asia’s largest solar park at Charnaka
Village in Gujarat constructed during Modi’s leadership exemplifies his
commitment towards renewable energy and climate change. In 2015, accompanied by
French President Francois Hollande, Prime Minister Modi along the sidelines of
Paris Climate Summit, envisaged the idea of developing an International Solar
Alliance (ISA) under the UN Charter, with all countries lying in between Tropic
of Cancer and Capricorn. Spear-headed by Modi, the inter-governmental
organization now aims to mobilize $1 trillion in funds for generation of 1 TW
to meet requirements. ISA besides conforming to spirit of Paris Climate
Agreement, is a determined effort to reach the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDG), 2030. India and France co-chaired
the first summit conference of ISA, held at New Delhi and represented by 23
heads of state. So far ISA has 62 signatories of which 30 countries have
ratified the agreement. Tipped to be OPEC of India, Delhi Solar Agenda is undeniably
India’s moment to lead the World towards renewable energy. India reached the
target of 20 GW solar energy four years ahead of the target has pledged $1.4
billion in aid to 15 developing countries, (all African) from its Africa
Development Fund aside $26 million towards ISA campus in Gurugram. France
pledged $866 million tripling earlier statements of commitment and announced to
make contribution close to $1.23 billion Euros. Reiterating their support towards renewable
energy, Modi and Macron inaugurated 75MW Solar Park at Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh.
India and France share converging
views on various global issues and notably apprehensions over China’s claims of
peaceful rise and neo colonialism under the guise of global connectivity. Instinctively, Macron’s visit came at a time,
when reports of Russia extending support to Pakistan has been making news. C.
Raja Mohan in his article titled “France:
India’s New Russia” stated “As Russia
reached out to Pakistan, that special position now belongs to France. For
example, Paris has foregone the opportunity to sell major weapons systems to
Pakistan and has focused on a strong defence partnership with India”.
Besides by strengthening cooperation in various sectors, France have infused a
strategic depth to the partnership. Moreover, the two democratic countries
whose constitutions rooted in liberty and fraternity offers new possibilities
for building a reliable partnership. With Pax Sinica becoming more imminent,
India which can’t match the deep pockets and clout of hegemonic neighbor is
actively seeking multiple strategic partnerships with like-minded countries.
The shared concerns of security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region can be
greatest binding factor for the Indo-French partnership. Above all, President
Macron’s message to India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, “Our aim is to begin a new era in ties between two countries. For
France, India is our priority and has always been. India has been France’s
first ally in the region. It is the entry point for France in the region, and
my aim is to make France the entry point for India to Europe” nearly summed
up France’s renewed interests in revitalizing bilateral ties with India.
Besides, ensuring prompt deliverance on various commitments, it is time to step
up engagement.
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