India-France strategic ties are expected to record positive movement in defence, maritime partnership, and the Indo-Pacific. PM Modi will wish President Macron a successful second term in office. France actively collaborating with India in “Atmanirbhar Bharat” project in the defence sector.
The last meeting was scheduled to take place in New Delhi on April 28 but was postponed due to the absence of France’s ambassador to India, Herve Marcon.
France is a bilateral partner with New Delhi on Indo-Pacific. The two countries understand each other positions on vital issues like Russian invasion of Ukraine and have continuous political exchanges on global issues.
The India-Nordic summit and revival of bilateral ties with Denmark are to revitalize the relationship with Nordic countries in the backdrop of deteriorating global security scenario, be it Ukraine or rising radicalization in these countries. While PM Modi’s visit to Germany has raised high expectations with Chancellor Scholz towing a stronger line on China and Russia from his predecessor, the Paris visit is all about adding more strategic blocks to a deep relationship with France.
India with France is looking towards manufacturing and export of emerging and critical defence technologies without any license regime or any legal incumbrances. The two countries plan to share technologies for better maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific particularly the Indian Ocean. Dassault is in contention for supply of 26 Rafale-M fighters to India for its indigenous aircraft carrier-1 or soon to be named INS Vikrant.
India has asked US to build aircraft engines in India under the 100 per cent transfer of technology route and participate in the “Make in India” initiative. France and US were the only two countries that blocked the Chinese attempt to designate Indian engineers working in Afghanistan as global terrorists under resolution 1267. PM Modi has not forgotten the French help after 1998 Shakti tests by India, when the world including Ukraine had declared New Delhi a pariah.
