Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to France has further widened India’s French window to Europe and beyond. It marks a paradigm shift in Franco-Indian relations from bilateral strategic partnership to trilateral and multilateral engagement.
As PM Modi underlined: “The bond between India and France transcends time, echoing shared values and kindling their collective dreams.”
The two countries announced a raft of agreements to deepen defence cooperation, including pacts for three submarines for the Indian Navy and the development of jet and helicopter engines, and unveiled plans to roll out the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) system in Europe from September.
Special significance: Coming at a time when India and France celebrate 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership, the PM’s visit acquired a special significance.
In the midst of the pomp and pageantry of the Bastille Day Parade in Paris, it presented a roadmap for the next 25 years, which emphasised that India and France are strategically located resident powers and key partners with vital stakes in the Indo-Pacific.
The visit opened up new areas of bilateral and multilateral collaboration, especially in defence and space, elevating the strategic partnership to a higher level. The visit was not just about what advanced technologies and arms France can give. It also dwelt upon what India can do for France and Europe.
It is evident that Franco-Indian relations have gone beyond the bilateral. They are already trilateral and could soon be plurilateral. Europe priority : PM Modi has visited France four times since French President Emmanuel Macron came to power in 2017, while Macron was honoured with a State visit to New Delhi in 2018.
However, given the changing geo-political scenario after the raging Ukraine war, his latest French visit should be seen as part of a larger plan to shift Europe from the edges of India’s foreign policy to a key priority.
The war in Ukraine has been a wake-up call for Europe. It can no longer take cheap Russian energy for granted and also wants to cut its reliance on the Chinese market. Repeating the experience in the 1990s, Europe is again looking at India as an option. Vice versa, India wants to widen its choices in Europe.
Apart from deepening their bilateral strategic ties, PM Modi and his host, French President Emmanuel Macron, also discussed how France can be a launching pad for India’s reengagement with Europe.
Abu Dhabi stopover: India’s deepening partnership can also help France within the European continent and beyond. PM Modi’s stopover in Abu Dhabi on his way back from Paris, underlined this imperative.
He is reported to have briefed UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on his talks with Macron in the context of the ‘India-France-UAE Trilateral Dialogue’ institutionalised earlier this year.
Maritime security, defence preparedness, food and energy security are now on the agenda of this trilateral dialogue. IndoFrench strategic partnership is a good moment to begin India’s re-engagement with European security.
