Prime Minister Modi who is on his
three-nation visit made his first stop over in France on 22nd. His
visit comes a week after “closed door informal consultations” of UNSC members over
Kashmir developments on Pakistan’s request duly supported by China. For all the hullabaloo, to the utter
embarrassment of Pakistan the consultations ended without issuing any
statement. France and the US firmly supported Indian government’s constitutional
changes in J &K. France opposed any formal meet and maintained that the
issue must be resolved bilaterally by India and Pakistan. After the dastardly
Pulwama attacks, France supported India. It was instrumental in listing of JeM
chief Masood Azhar under the UNSC sanctions as designated international
terrorist a process stalled by China for a decade.
India and France became strategic
partners in 1998. France is India’s strongest European ally and the only
European country with which India has structured partnership. President Jacques
Chirac who was guest honour for Republic Day parade in 1998 instituted the
strategic partnership with India. After four months when India conducted
nuclear tests, France refrained from condemning the tests. Chirac recommended
lifting of sanctions. France was also supportive of India during the Kargil war
and even transferred high level defence technology later. It was the first
country to seal the civil nuclear pact with India. France has unique
distinction of being guest of honour at Republic Day maximum times. Taking the
relationship to a new level, last year during President Macron’s state visit to
India countries signed reciprocal military logistics agreement. France is the
second country to sign such an agreement after the US.
France has vital interests in both
Indian and Pacific Oceans and has 9.1 million square kilometres of exclusive
economic zone in Indo-Pacific region. France’s geographical definition of
Indo-Pacific exactly matches India’s elucidation. France’s emphasis towards counter
terrorism as part of Indo-Pacific security strategy in the aftermath of Islamic
State influenced terror attacks in the littoral states of Sri Lanka resonates
with Indian concerns. France has standing presence of 8000 troops in the
Western Indo-Pacific region to safe guard its interests.
Through the logistics agreement India
and France countries have enhanced interoperability between the forces which
have been conducted joint (Varuna-naval, Garuda-Air, Shakti-land) exercises for
the past 18 years. India and France through robust surveillance China’s Sea Lines
of Communication (SLOC) in the Western Indian Ocean region can counter the
ambitious maritime power projection of China. To this, end some analysts are
even suggesting a “sister cities” kind of arrangement between India’ Andaman
Nicobar Islands and France’s Reunion Islands to uphold the freedom of
navigation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Climate change and its deleterious
effects on the littoral states has been point of convergence of both countries.
Maritime cooperation between India and France who share common understanding on
all aspects of Free and Open Indo-Pacific will be a “win-win” scenario.
Most strikingly, unlike other P5
members France believes in strategic autonomy and never hesitates to stand away
from popular western opinion if its interests are compromised. Similarly, India
never hesitates to charter independent course to foster its strategic
interests. In the recently concluded
Shanghai Dialogue, French Defence Minister released a defence document, titled
“France and Security in the Indo-Pacific” highlighting France policy
towards Asia-Pacific. Use of Indo-Pacific reflects France’s enhanced attention
towards Indian region and by consequence India.
Given President Trump’s repeated
flip-flops, withdrawal from multilateral arrangements and anti-globalisation
rants, France is seeking to diversify ties with like-minded countries. Facing
similar predicaments, India which is looking for a reliable security partner is
levitating towards France. Driven by convergence of interests both countries
are steadily expanding the ambit a of an enduring friendship. Geopolitically
old alliances are crumbling and new friendships are blooming to prep for the
new reality of a changing world order. Deeper Indo-French engagement is a
consequence of a such geopolitical realignment.
Modi’s visit to France within the
first three months of his second term exemplifies India’s renewed interest in
strengthening strategic partnership. In a befitting tribute to growing
congruence of interests and mutual trust, French President Emmanuel Macron held
wide ranging talks with Indian Prime Minister, at Domaine-de-Chantilly, a
glorious French castle built over rocky marshlands in an area of 7800 hectares
and houses historical paintings, a museum, parks, gardens.
Macron congratulated Modi on his
stupendous electoral victory. Modi briefed Macron about the revocation of
article 370 and stated that J &K is an integral part of India. Reiterating
France’s position, Macron said, “PM Modi told me everything about Kashmir
and the situation in J&K. I said Pakistan and India will have to find a
solution together and no third party should interfere or incite violence”.
Referring to Indo-French friendship Modi said, “Our friendship rests not on
selfishness, but on the solid ideals of ‘Liberty, Equality and Fraternity’.
This is the reason why India and France have stood shoulder to shoulder to
protect freedom and democracy”.
Defence cooperation has thus far
been the mainstay of Indo-French partnership. With India expediting purchase of
36 Rafale jets despite motivated political mudslinging, France is now
incentivised to buttress its defence production cooperation with India. France
which is India’s major defence partner and involved in building six Scorpene
class submarines extended support to “Make in India” giving a fillip to
collaborative aerospace and defence industrial production. France was first
country to sign civil nuclear agreement with India. Giving wings to civil
nuclear cooperation, as agreed, France is all set to begin construction of six
nuclear reactors for the Jaitapur nuclear power plant.
Diversifying cooperation, countries
exchanged MoUs on Skill Development, renewable energy, cooperation in cyber
&digital security and an arrangement to create joint maritime domain
awareness. Last year, countries signed a joint strategic vision of cooperation
in Indian Ocean Region sharing their concerns, joint challenges towards an
open, inclusive, Indo-Pacific. Expanding the latitude of multi-dimensional
strategic partnership leaders have now adopted an Indo-French roadmap on
Cybersecurity and Digital Technology to foster economic growth and ensure
safe internet access.
In line with the theme of the G-7
summit of inclusive, transparent and open digital environment countries have
agreed to cooperate on cybercrime, digital governance, foster research and
development in Artificial Intelligence. To structure scientific and academic
partnership including new research advancement in Artificial Intelligence,
countries are holding second knowledge summit at Lyon in October.
India and France who shouldered the
responsibility of promoting use of renewable energy through International Solar
Alliance (ISA) to mitigate climate change have reaffirmed commitment to combat
loss of biodiversity. Countries have resolved to phase out inefficient fossil
fuels subsidies.
Both India and France are facing
the brunt of burgeoning terrorism. India is victim of cross border terrorism
while France is weary of burgeoning Islamic State influence domestically. Mincing
no words, France unlike other strategic partners of India called out the bluff
of Pakistan. They contended, “terrorism cannot be justified on any grounds
whatsoever and it shouldnot be associated with any religion, creed, nationality
and ethnicity”. They asked countries to work together to extricate roots of
terrorist safe havens and infrastructure “disrupting terrorist networks and
their financing channel, halting cross border movement of terrorists belonging
to Al Qaeda, Daesh/ISIS, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizbul Mujahideen,
Laskhar-e-Taiba (LeT)” Cognizant of the scourge of online radicalisation,
countries advocated implementation of Christchurch call to action to eliminate
violent content on internet and implementation of UNSC Resolution 2462 on fighting
terrorist financing. France extended support to India’s global conference on
terrorism in November. Taking an indirect dig at the predatory trade practices
and unsustainable connectivity projects, countries supported implementation of
“G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment”.
France is India’s gateway to Europe
and is ninth largest investor in India. Bilateral trade worth $12.95 billion
largely in favour of India is much below the potential. To promote bilateral
investment and trade and increase ease of market access, countries have agreed to
hold high-level economic and financial dialogue.
To uphold spirit of multilateralism
both leaders called for urgent UN reforms. France not only supported India’s
permanent membership to UNSC but invited India to be part of G-7. President
Macron observed, “We wanted India to be part of G7. I have changed some
parts about how G7 is organised. Because, there are several matters in which we
can’t move without India, there are matters in which India’s presence is
important.” France’s new found interest in seeking India’s participation on
global issues is an endorsement to its steady rise. Being the 6th
largest economy in the World with enviable demographic dividend, India is a
land of immense opportunities. Adherence to democratic spirit, transparent
functioning, contributions towards peacekeeping further boost its credentials
as an emerging power.
Besides the extensive diplomatic outreach,
in his special address to Indian Diaspora at France, dedicated a memorial to
victims of two air India crashes in 1950 and 1960. He hailed the support of
locals in retrieving the remains of the crash. Coining a new term “INFRA” which
stands for India and France, Modi fondly recalled the depth of Indo-French
bilateral ties. Above all, the consecrating hollow of “Auroville” at
Pondicherry a testimony to enriching spiritual sojourn of the Mother, born as
Mirra Alfassa in Paris to India to collaborate with Sri Aurobindo will stand as
befitting cultural enabler of contemporary Indo-French friendship.
Modi’s proactive and pragmatic
diplomacy in the past five years has changed World’s perspective towards India.
By shunning decadence and complacence Prime Minister is using every opportunity
to contribute and project India’s unique attributes. Common interests are
driving nations to come together. By actively participating in global
conversations and making useful contributions Modi is making India more relevant
and important. Like India, France pursues an independent policy. At a time when
World is suffering from lack of consensus on various global issues, India and
France are exploring common ground to cooperate and deepen engagement. Trade
spates and fissures between big powers are compelling like- minded countries to
form coalitions. Indo-French multidimensional partnership is thus an attempt to
create a new global agenda.
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