On India’s 75th Republic Day, French President Emmanuel Macron became the principal guest, setting a new milestone. In other words, by bringing its leaders to India for Republic Day no fewer than six times, France has surpassed Britain and Russia and demonstrated that our allied countries highly regard it. India’s steadfast reliance on and compassion for France stems from their shared “strategic autonomy” stance.
India and France have a long and close relationship, dating back to the 18th century. The two countries share several common values, including democracy, secularism, and a commitment to multilateralism. They also share several common interests: security, trade, and technology.
Military cooperation
French has been a critical supplier of military equipment to India for many years. In 2022, India signed a contract worth €7.8 billion to purchase 36 Rafale fighter jets from France. This deal was seen as a significant boost to the India-France strategic partnership.
Nuclear cooperation
France is also a key partner of India in the field of nuclear energy. In 2016, India and France signed a deal to build six nuclear reactors in India. This deal is expected to help India meet its growing energy needs.
Economic cooperation
India and French are also important economic partners. In 2022, bilateral trade between the two countries was worth over €10 billion. The two countries are working to further increase trade and investment ties.
Pragmatic partnership
The India-France relationship is based on pragmatism and mutual respect. The two countries are willing to work together despite their different views on specific issues. For example, India and France have cooperated closely even though France has been critical of India’s human rights record.
Western pressure
In recent years, India has faced increasing pressure from Western countries, particularly the United States, to take a tougher stance against Russia. However, India has resisted this pressure and has maintained its close ties with Russia.
France has supported India’s position on Russia. In 2022, French President Emmanuel Macron understood India’s need to maintain its ties with Russia.
Conclusion
The India-French relationship is a valuable asset for both countries. The two countries share several common values and interests and are committed to working together to address the challenges of the 21st century.
The future of the India-France relationship
The India-French relationship will continue to grow in importance in the future. The two countries are working together to develop new areas of cooperation, such as space exploration and artificial intelligence.
India and France are also working to strengthen their strategic partnership. In 2022, the two countries signed a joint defense and security cooperation statement. This statement reaffirms the commitment of the two countries to work together to promote peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.