The visit celebrated the 25th anniversary of the strategic alliance between India and France. The relationship between the two countries is “strong, trusted, consistent,” according to PM Modi.
India and France have been strong collaborators in practically all international venues, including the United Nations Security Council, since the two nations established their first strategic relationship in 1998. The concerns of international terrorism, climate change, sustainable development, and the Indo-Pacific have brought forth this convergence on multilateralism.
It is no coincidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded France’s most prestigious honour The Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour as a guest at the Bastille Day military parade as part of his recent visit to Paris to commemorate the 25th year of Franco-Indian strategic partnership as he played crucial role in paving the way of friendly relations between the both countries.
Significance of the visit-
As always defence cooperation was the key centre behind this visit also along with it Indian defence forces contingent also paraded in France in the Bastille day parade which is similar to independence day of India.
- Defence cooperation-
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has previously purchased 36 French-made Rafale fighter jets.
Six Scorpion submarines have previously been produced in India as part of Project 75.The French government and its joint venture partner, Mazagoan Dock Limited (MDL), are currently considering buying three more Scorpion submarines. An additional three Scorpion submarines are expected to be ordered from France, with production to take place in India.
In order to power India’s next-generation aircraft, such as the cutting-edge Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the Indian Ministry of Defence is in negotiations with French defence company Safran to jointly develop a fighter jet engine in India.
- Strategic cooperation-
Global issues such as climate change, clean energy, health, food security, and development were discussed as examples of the relevance of the cooperation during the visit. Business would likewise profit greatly from this and the bilateral economic connection would be strengthened for the long haul.
- Economic partnership-
Bilateral trade and investment between India and France have been consistently strong over the years and they have rebounded well since the pandemic. In 2022-23, the value of bilateral commerce hit a record high of $13.4 billion, with Indian exports surpassing $7 billion. The value of Indian imports is likewise considerable, coming in at about $5.8 billion in 2022-23. French investment in India between April 2000 and March 2023 totaled $10.5 billion, making France the eleventh largest foreign investor in India.
The ambitious ‘Horizon 2047 Roadmap: Charting the future of India-France Strategic Partnership’ was adopted to establish the next path of the relationship until 2047, the year India would celebrate the centenary of its independence. The cooperation pillars of the roadmap are security, sovereignty, environmental sustainability and social justice.
The future of relations –
Clean and green energy , civil nuclear energy, Indo – Pacific, climate change are some key areas in which we will witness more deeper engagement of both countries in future.
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