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After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France on July 13-14, the two countries agreed to boost cooperation in sectors such as defense and charted a road map for India-France relations for the next 25 years. We discussed the larger implications of the visit with Gulshan Sachdeva Professor, Center for European Studies and Curator, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
This visit comes on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the entry of India and France into a strategic partnership. Prime Minister Modi described the relations between the two countries as “in an excellent state”, and that they are “strong, reliable and consistent”. What makes this relationship unique in terms of its sustainability?
Since 1998, when the first strategic partnership was signed between India and France, the two countries have worked closely in almost all multilateral forums, including the UN Security Council. Convergence emerged around issues related to reformed and effective multilateralism, international terrorism, climate change, sustainable development, and the Indo-Pacific region.
Both are located in different geographical areas and at different stages of economic development. But somehow their worldviews seem to have converged. France is an integral part of the European economic and security architecture, which is based on the project of joint economic integration and the transatlantic alliance.
The core of French foreign policy remains national identity and strategic independence. Since Charles de Gaulle, the French leadership seems to have believed in the possibility of using a strong and united Europe as a tool to improve France’s position in world affairs. President Emmanuel Macron intends to make the European Union a third pole in global affairs alongside the United States and China through strategic autonomy and European sovereignty. In 1998, President Jacques Chirac wanted to resolve India’s exclusion from the global nuclear framework and refrained from imposing economic sanctions as many other countries had done.
Thus, French views on foreign affairs converged with India’s preference for a multipolar world and strategic independence. The past twenty five years have also witnessed unprecedented economic growth in the Indian economy. There was also the rise of an assertive China. Economic and geopolitical factors created huge opportunities for both of them to work together.
A strong institutional mechanism has been established to promote cooperation in defense, space, civilian nuclear energy, renewable energy sources, cyberspace, digital technology, counter-terrorism, maritime security, regular defense exercises, and the blue economy.
Both have jointly launched the International Solar Alliance and set up tripartite bodies such as India-France-Australia, India-France-UAE. So, the similar worldview and new economic opportunities in India have kept the partnership going for the past 25 years.
In the “Horizon 2047” statement issued after the last visit, which talks about the next twenty-five years of the relationship, three main areas are identified: partnership for security and sovereignty, for the planet and for the people. Why do you think these areas were chosen?
The way the bonds have evolved over the past quarter century, Partnership for Security and Sovereignty, for the Planet and for the People, captures the essence and ambition for the next 25 years. France has emerged as the second largest exporter of defense equipment to India in the past ten years. 36 Rafale fighter jets have already been delivered.
A large number of deals incl more Rafale planes and submarines, Joint development of engines for combat aircraft and helicopters is being negotiated and finalized. Some of them may include co-production and transfer of important technology. This is critical to India’s defense modernization, diversification of supply and the Made in India project. There is a convergence of security and economic interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
As shown in a separate Indo-Pacific roadmap, both can align their infrastructure, connectivity and development projects together through trilateral cooperation with Australia and the UAE or through trilateral development cooperation projects. The manifesto covers ambitions for a low carbon economy. A large number of specific projects in the fields of renewable energy, circular economy and blue economy were mentioned.
These can be beneficial for sustainable modernization and urbanization in India. France is a pioneer in the field of civilian nuclear power and has offered to build six nuclear power reactors at Jaitapur.
However, these projects may not be easy to implement due to the changing global energy dynamics, the high costs involved as well as the outstanding technical and legal issues. Initiatives to enhance contacts between people through tourism, cooperation between educational and research institutions as well as companies are beneficial. To maintain this partnership over the long term, we may also need strong links with civil society.
The larger issues currently being discussed globally in the short term relate to the Ukraine-Russian war, in which Europe holds a prominent place. In the long term, China’s influence in global affairs, and the declines in its relationship with countries like India and the United States, is a matter of concern. How can cooperation with France help India in such a scenario?
Issues related to Russia and China will continue to affect bilateral relations. For Europe, the main foreign policy challenge at the moment is the war between Russia and Ukraine. This is an area where Indian and French perceptions differ. Within Europe, Macron is also under fire for his soft approach to both Russia and China as well as his statements on Taiwan. Although Modi stated in Paris that he is ready to contribute to a lasting peace in Ukraine, no concrete initiative has been identified.
Many European leaders, including Macron, have described China as a negotiating partner, economic competitor and systemic competitor. Since “decoupling” from China is not possible, the final emphasis is on “taking no risks” with economic relations with China. Although Europe’s tough policies toward Russia and France’s “hybrid” approach to China will continue to pose challenges to bilateral relations, it may also present new opportunities for working together.
Have any substantial results been seen in the field of economic relations between India and France?
An area that found relatively little space in the statement is trade and investment. In the past few years, India’s trade with France has been around $10-12 billion a year. In comparison, our trade is more with countries like Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam than with France.
Most of the big French companies have a presence in India. Over the past 25 years, they have invested about $10 billion. India can certainly enjoy better trade and investment relations with a 3 trillion dollar European economy. Negotiations on trade and investment agreements between India and the European Union have resumed. The early conclusion of these agreements may provide a new impetus to economic relations. However, knowing the history of these negotiations, we really need to redouble our efforts to finalize these agreements.
Some of the new measures announced include an increase in the number of students who will be admitted to France. Even with the language barrier, on what pillars is the growth of relations between people planned?
Already signed the Migration and Mobility Agreement, greater mobility for students and professionals and better links with civil society may help bring India and France closer. The Alliance Française goal of reaching 50,000 students will help achieve the new target of 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030. Since language will be a factor in mobility, promoting French in educational institutions will be crucial.
Prime Minister Modi has made multiple visits to France. To what extent can India-France relations be attributed to the current leadership of the two countries, does Bonhumali play a role?
On the solid foundations laid by the previous leaders, three Indian Prime Ministers and four French Presidents have contributed to the special relations between India and France in the last 25 years. Prime Minister Modi played a historic role in finalizing the Rafale deal and forcefully articulating the Indo-Pacific narrative, which made a qualitative difference. The Modi-Macron bonhomie has the potential to make a special partnership.
(Gulshan Sachdeva Professor, Center for European Studies and Coordinator, Jean Monnet Center of Excellence, Jawaharlal Nehru University)
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