Coronavirus put a break on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” defence plans with two key strategic partners of India cancelling their visits to Delhi. The visits are now being rescheduled on a priority after testing positive for the virus.
Bonne was due to hold Strategic Dialogue with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on March 22 in Delhi. The visit was cancelled after Bonne got infected with Covid during a trip to India last month.
France is willing to set up defence manufacturing units in critical technologies in collaboration with private players in India without the usual hurdles of licensing and third-party sales and export, India’s ambassador to France has said.
For a country that practices strategic autonomy, France and Israel are a way to “atmanirbhar Bharat”. Armed drones, shoulder-fired anti-tank missiles and airborne early warning systems are crucial for stand-off weapons like mine-cutting and roadside bombs.
