India and France to Intensify Cooperation

Context

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held wide-ranging discussions with French counterpart and the two sides agreed to intensify bilateral cooperation in regions like defence, security, space and civilian-nuclear collaboration.

Key Highlights

• India–France Strategic Partnership: It was launched on 26 January 1998 and is India’s first-ever Strategic Partnership.
  • Core imaginative and prescient: Enhance strategic autonomy and deepen bilateral cooperation.
  • Key Strategic Pillars: Defence and security, Civil nuclear cooperation and Space collaboration.
  • Expanding regions: Indo-Pacific cooperation, maritime security, digitalisation, cyber security, climate change, sustainable development, advanced technology, and, counter-terrorism.
• Defence Cooperation: It is reviewed through the Annual Defence Dialogue (Minister-level) and High Committee on Defence Cooperation (HCDC) (Secretary-level).
  • Rafale Fighter Jets: India procured 36 Rafales from Dassault Aviation.
  • Scorpene Submarines (Project P-75): Collaboration with France’s Naval Group, 6 submarines built in India; latest is INS Vaghsheer.
  • Combat Aircraft Engine Development: HAL and France’s Safran Helicopter Engines signed an agreement under the IMRH programme to co-expand engines.
  • Future plans: Co-development of next-gen fighter jet engines
  • Joint Exercises: Shakti, Varuna, FRINJEX-23.
• Economic Cooperation:  Within the European Union, France remains India’s 5th-biggest trading partner, following the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and Germany.
  • The bilateral trade between India and France has more than doubled in the last decade to USD 15.11 Billion in 2023-24.
  • Both countries also are transferring to jointly develop technology and combine present technology. 
  • The system of allowing Unified Payment Interface (UPI) has been successful in France.
  • French technologies particularly in renewables, sustainable production and urban infrastructure development are being integrated in India.
• Space Cooperation: There is a over 60 years of collaboration between ISRO and CNES (French space agency)
  • France is a key dealer of components, launch offerings (Arianespace).
• Joint missions: TRISHNA (satellite venture), MDA systems, ground station guide.
• Energy Cooperation: 
  • International Solar Alliance (ISA): Co-founded through India and France in 2015 to promote solar energy worldwide.
  • Nuclear Energy Cooperation: The first meeting of the special task force on nuclear power within the framework of the Indo-French Strategic Dialogue, was convened in 2025.
• Community: There are an estimated 1,19,000 Indian communities in mainland France, largely originating from erstwhile French colonies.

Areas of Concern

• Trade Imbalance: Bilateral trade remains under capability, in particular as compared to India’s trade with different EU countries.
• Technology Transfer & Defence Restrictions: While France has supported India’s defence dreams, there are concerns over the intensity of technology transfer in big-ticket items.
• Nuclear Liability Concerns: Despite a civil nuclear settlement in 2008 and plans for reactors at Jaitapur, progress has been slow.
• Geopolitical Differences: France’s strong economic ties with China may also occasionally dilute full alignment with India on Indo-Pacific issues.

Future Outlook

• Horizon 2047 Roadmap envisions: To mark the 25th anniversary of the Indo-French partnership, both countries agreed to undertake a roadmap to set the direction for the bilateral relationship up to 2047.
  • Joint development and manufacturing of advanced defence technology.
  • Export of at the same time advanced merchandise to third countries for global good.
  • Deeper maritime and space security cooperation.
  • Growing convergence in the Indo-Pacific via strategic dialogue and joint military presence.

Conclusion

• India–France defence cooperation is a cornerstone of their wider Strategic Partnership. 
• With shared pursuits in sovereignty, multilateralism, and local stability, both countries are set to elevate ties similarly under the Horizon 2047 imaginative and prescient — making defence ties more collaborative, revolutionary, and export-oriented.

Source: The Indian Express

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