Sansad TV: India-France Strategic Ties | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

• India and France share a close and amicable relationship, marked by a Strategic Partnership established in 1998. This partnership signifies their shared perspectives on various global issues and a growing bilateral rapport. This year, both countries celebrate the 25th anniversary of this strategic partnership, which encompasses cooperation in defense, civil nuclear energy, space, security, cyber security, counter-terrorism, intelligence, and now includes a significant Indo-Pacific dimension.
• Additionally, France holds substantial investments and engages in trade and commercial collaborations with India, particularly in sectors such as IT corridors, smart cities, railways, capital and trade exchanges, and skill development. As the 11th largest foreign investor in India, France maintains constant and comprehensive dialogue at all levels.
• During the visit of the External Affairs Minister to France in February 2022, both nations adopted the India-France Roadmap on Blue Economy and Ocean Governance. Moreover, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goel recently addressed the India-France Business Summit and participated in roundtable discussions with CEOs in Paris, inviting them to contribute to India's digital transformation initiatives.
• Vice President Jagdeep interacted with a delegation of Young Leaders from the France India Foundation, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts in societal and economic development for the greater benefit of humanity.

Background

• France has consistently demonstrated understanding and support for India's claims based on its ancient civilization.
• Defense cooperation between India and France dates back to the 1950s, with the acquisition of Ouragan and subsequent aircraft like Mystères, Jaguar (Anglo-French), and Mirage 2000.
• The joint naval exercises "Varuna" between both countries began in 1983.
• Compared to other nations, France has exhibited a deeper understanding of India's strategic programs. It was the first Western country with which India established a Strategic Partnership.
• Following India's nuclear tests in 1998, France refrained from imposing bilateral sanctions and displayed a greater comprehension of India's security imperatives than other countries.
• France was the first P-5 country to support India's aspiration for a permanent seat in an expanded and reformed UN Security Council.

Mutual Benefits:

• The Indo-French naval cooperation aims to secure critical sea lanes, combat security threats such as piracy, transnational crime, and terrorism, and enhance security capacities in the Indian Ocean.
• Additionally, it presents the opportunity for the Indian Navy to expand its operational presence across the Indo-Pacific region, with French facilities potentially augmenting India's network of nautical outposts in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This includes locations like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Seychelles, where India plans to establish and operate a military base.

India-France Strategic Partnership

Defense:

• In 2005, an agreement was signed for the construction of six Scorpène submarines in India with French assistance.
• Furthermore, technology sharing and acquisitions of short-range missiles and radar equipment have been concluded.
• Joint exercises, such as the Garuda series between the air forces and the Shakti exercises between the armies, were initiated in 2003 and 2011, respectively.
• A government-to-government agreement for the procurement of 36 Rafale aircraft has been finalized. The ambitious offset target of 50% (approximately ₹25,000 crore), if properly implemented, has the potential to contribute to the development of India's nascent aerospace industry.

Energy Sector:

• Around ten years ago, an agreement was signed for the construction of six EPR (European Pressurized Reactors) nuclear power reactors with a total capacity of 9.6 GW. Negotiations between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and Areva have been ongoing.
• In the field of green energy, India and France jointly initiated the International Solar Alliance.
• France has committed to providing an additional $861.5 million by 2022 for solar projects in developing countries.
• The agreement between NPCIL and EdF (Areva) outlines the industrial roadmap, affirming that work at Jaitapur will commence before the end of 2018.

Maritime Cooperation:

• Both India and France share concerns regarding China's expanding presence in the Indian Ocean Region.
• With its overseas territories in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, France possesses the second-largest exclusive economic zone globally. It has established bases in Reunion Islands and Djibouti and set up one in Abu Dhabi in 2009.

Trade between the two countries:

• Trade between India and France has seen growth in recent years but still stands at $10 billion, which is half of India's trade with Germany.
• During the business summit, nearly $16 billion worth of agreements were signed. France currently hosts around 1,000 French companies, while over a hundred Indian businesses have established a presence in France.
• As Brexit approaches, India can consider France as a potential entry point for Europe, whereas in the past, Indian companies often viewed the U.K. as the gateway.

Space:

• France previously assisted India in setting up the Sriharikota launch site.
• The current space relationship between the two countries is one of near equals. The "vision statement" emphasizes joint missions for space situational awareness and high-resolution earth observation missions with applications in meteorology, oceanography, and cartography.

Education Links:

• Currently, approximately 2,500 Indians go to France annually for higher education, while the number from China exceeds 250,000.
• An agreement on the mutual recognition of academic degrees has been reached, and the Knowledge Summit resulted in the signing of 14 MoUs between educational and scientific institutions.

Tourism:

• Although there are only about 20 weekly flights between India and France, the number of flights to Germany is four times higher and to the U.K. is ten times higher. Therefore, increasing the number of flights between India and France is necessary.

Concerns:

• While the governments maintain a strong relationship, there are concerns regarding the weak business ties. Bilateral trade remains less than half of India's trade with Germany, and the target of €12 billion set in 2008 has not been achieved.
• Although French foreign direct investment (FDI) has increased in recent years, it does not fully reflect the presence of over 800 French enterprises in India.

Conclusion

To enhance cooperation between the two countries, certain aspects such as French social security laws, long-term student visas, and opportunities for graduates to work and repay their student loans over a period of two to three years need to be addressed and further developed. These measures will contribute to more effective collaboration between India and France.