Bi-Lateral
India-France
Prime Minister Modi dropped in to Paris to congratulate President elect Macron on his second consecutive election victory. India and France have built one of the premier strategic partnerships for advancing peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
India and France – Next Phase of Strategic Partnership Both sides agreed to find creative ways for France’s deeper involvement in the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ efforts in advanced defence technology, manufacturing and exports, through increased industry to industry partnerships
Photograph: PIB
By Ranjit Kumar Though defence is a strong pillar of India-France relations, this was not the only item on the menu of ModiMacron meeting in Paris on May 4, 2022. President Emmanuel Macron, who till then had not taken oath for his second Presidential term, received Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Presidential Elysee Palace and held extensive discussions not only on bilateral relations but international issues, especially Ukraine, were deliberated. The comfort level of strategic relations between European and Asian giants are so high that strategic observers have already started comparing India’s relations with Russia during cold war days to the present state of ties between India and France.
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Though India’s dependence on Russia for defence equipment continue, France has emerged as a major supplier of topnotch military platforms ranging from Mirage 2000s and Rafale to Scorpene submarines and many other high-tech subsystems. Like Russian support to India in manufacturing major weapon systems, India is urging France to expand this cooperation in other sensitive areas also and help India become Atmanirbhar (Self Dependent) in defence equipment. In the backdrop of reports relating to French Naval Group withdrawal from Indian Navy’s RFP for six submarines and Indian Navy’s plan to acquire naval versions of French Rafale maritime fighters, Indian officials denied having such issues coming for summit level interaction.
ISSUE 5 • 2022
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