Indo – France : Partnership for Planet

For Mains: Significance, Challenges, and Cooperation Areas in Indo-French Relations

At a recent event in Paris, India and France underscored the ‘Partnership for the Planet’ as crucial to the Indo-French Horizon 2047 Roadmap, emphasizing their enhanced cooperation on climate change, biodiversity, health, and environmental issues.

The partnership is evolving to include Indo-Pacific biodiversity initiatives and innovation. Through the AFD, France remains dedicated to supporting India’s journey towards resilience and equity, planning to showcase collaborative innovations during the upcoming Indo-French Year of Innovation in 2026.

Furthermore, this partnership highlights a joint commitment to aligning socio-economic development with environmental protection, addressing global disparities, and advancing sustainable solutions.

India-France Relationship: Historical Development

Post-Independence Period (1947-1991):

Diplomatic ties were established shortly after India’s independence.

Military cooperation began in the 1960s with French aircraft and helicopters (Ouragan, Mystere, Alize, Alouette, Jaguar) joining India’s air fleet.

France provided critical support in 1984 by supplying nuclear fuel to the Tarapur power plant when the US withdrew.

Early space collaboration included French assistance in establishing the Sriharikota launch site and providing Centaure and Viking rocket technologies in the 1970s.

Despite these collaborations, Cold War dynamics limited the full development of bilateral relations.

Post-Cold War Era (1991-Present):

In 1998, India and France formalized a Strategic Partnership, significantly expanding bilateral ties, focusing on:

Defence and security cooperation

Space collaboration

Civil nuclear cooperation

Key Sectors and Initiatives Related to the Indo-French Horizon 2047 Roadmap:

Partnership for the Planet and Global Issues:

Environment: Both countries are committed to promoting environmental sustainability through initiatives focused on sustainable urban development, waste management, and water conservation. Projects like the Pune metro system and Chandigarh’s water supply system, supported by AFD, emphasize sustainable urban infrastructure development. Commitments to curb plastic pollution through international agreements, recycling programs, and innovative solutions.

Climate Change: Support for clean energy technologies, decarbonized hydrogen production, and financing initiatives for sustainable energy projects, including promoting renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The International Solar Alliance, co-founded by India and France, promotes solar energy deployment in solar-rich countries to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Since 2008, France has invested over €4 billion through agencies like AFD in climate projects in India, supporting initiatives from renewable energy to climate-resilient infrastructure.

Biodiversity: Both countries engage in conservation efforts to protect biodiversity hotspots and endangered species. Projects such as the conservation of one-horned rhinos in Assam, supported by AFD, demonstrate joint efforts to preserve India’s rich biodiversity. India is AFD’s top partner in terms of financial commitment, with 63% of its portfolio dedicated to addressing gender equality.

Partnership for People:

Student Mobility: Aiming to host 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030 and issuing 5-year short-stay visas for Indian Master’s degree holders.

Diplomatic and Consular Network: Opening new consulates in Marseille and Hyderabad.

Culture: Collaboration on establishing a new National Museum in New Delhi and exchanging audio-visual content.

Research: Increased funding for the Indo-French Centre for Advanced Research.

Partnership for Security and Sovereignty:

Indo-Pacific: India and France have jointly strategized to enhance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on maritime security, economic collaboration, and forming strategic partnerships with regional nations. They conduct joint military exercises across all branches – Shakti (Army), Varuna (Navy), and Garuda (Air Force).

Defence: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the acquisition of 26 Rafale aircraft for the Navy and sanctioned the construction of three additional Scorpène submarines (Kalvari class).

Space: ISRO and the French Space Agency (CNES) collaborate on various joint research programs and satellite launches, such as the GSAT-24 communication satellite launched in 2022.

Civil Nuclear Energy: An agreement on civil nuclear cooperation was signed between India and France in 2008, involving the construction of the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project.

Significance of Indo-France Relations:

Indo-Pacific Security: France’s support is crucial for India in maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region and countering Chinese assertiveness. The 2018 India-France Joint Strategic Vision for Indian Ocean cooperation exemplifies this.

Mutual Strategic Autonomy: The relationship is balanced, free from Anglo-Saxon influences in France and anti-Western sentiments in India. France was the first major power to open talks with India after its nuclear tests in 1998.

International Organization Access: France’s backing is vital for India’s aspirations to join key bodies like the UN Security Council and the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

Global Power Balance: The Indo-France partnership plays a role in moderating Russian influence in Europe and Chinese influence in Asia, contributing to global stability and a balanced world order.

Defence Cooperation: France is significant for India’s defence sector through robust strategic partnerships, collaborations, joint military exercises, technology transfers, and defence research and development.

Future-Oriented Collaboration: The Horizon 2047 agreement outlines a 25-year roadmap for bilateral cooperation, emphasizing collaboration in advanced technologies like supercomputing, AI, and quantum computing, critical for India’s future development.

Challenges in Indo-France Relations:

Economic Limitations: The absence of a Free Trade Agreement hinders deeper economic ties. Progress on the India-EU Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) has stalled, limiting further economic integration.

Trade and Intellectual Property Issues: Trade imbalance favours France, and there are concerns about inadequate protection of intellectual property rights for French businesses in India. Some negotiated projects face operational challenges, such as the Jaitapur nuclear project.

Divergent Geopolitical Stances: Differing approaches to global issues are evident. For instance, France has openly criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while India has maintained a more neutral stance.

Steps to Accelerate Indo-France Relations:

Economic Engagement: Accelerate negotiations on the India-EU BTIA with France as a key supporter within the EU. Explore a bilateral economic partnership agreement as an interim measure. Expand the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (CEFIPRA) model to other sectors. The Japan-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement could serve as a model.

Trade and Intellectual Property: Establish a joint working group on IP protection and technology transfer. Create sector-specific trade facilitation mechanisms. Involve private sector expertise to overcome technical and financial hurdles. The success of the Rafale jets deal shows how political will can overcome obstacles.

Geopolitical Positions: Increase strategic dialogues to align perspectives on global issues and collaborate on areas of mutual interest, such as Indo-Pacific security. The India-France-Australia trilateral initiative demonstrates the potential for aligned interests.

Addressing Emerging Global Tensions: Enhance intelligence sharing and joint strategic assessments. Develop joint crisis response mechanisms. The Quad (India, US, Japan, Australia) framework could be expanded to include France in specific areas. Collaborate on humanitarian aid and conflict resolution initiatives. Strengthen naval cooperation in the Indian Ocean against Chinese assertiveness, expanding joint naval exercises like Varuna to include other regional partners.

Conclusion:

As global dynamics shift, the India-France partnership is set to play a significant role in shaping a balanced and stable international order. By leveraging their complementary strengths and addressing existing challenges, India and France can elevate their partnership, benefiting both nations and contributing to global peace, security, and prosperity.