India France Relations - Historical Background, Bilateral Relations, Educational & Technical Cooperation!

Indian and France Relations have historically been cordial and friendly. Since the establishment of the strategic partnership in 1998, there has been significant progress in all areas of bilateral cooperation thanks to frequent high-level exchanges at the Head of State levels as well as expanding cooperation and exchanges in strategic fields like defence, counterterrorism, nuclear energy, and space.

 India France Relations are one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS Examination.

In this article, we are going to discuss India France Relations, historical background, defence relations, economic cooperation, challenges, the way forward & more.

Recent Update on India-France Relations Relations

• India and France have maintained a strong strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific for many years, founded on diplomatic relations in 1947 and elevated to a strategic level in 1998. This enduring relationship is characterized by mutual trust, a commitment to United Nations Charter principles, and shared values rooted in international law.
• To commemorate the 25th anniversary of this partnership, both countries have agreed to chart a roadmap guiding their bilateral ties until 2047. This significant milestone coincides with the centenaries of India's independence and diplomatic relations between the two nations, as well as 50 years of their strategic partnership.
• The Indian Prime Minister visited France in May 2022. Both the PM’s released a joint statement outlining each nation’s commitment to combating terrorism and climate change. They also reiterated the development of the Indo-Pacific strategic partnership between India and the EU.
• France reaffirmed its commitment to fully assisting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in realising his vision for Atmanirbhar Bharat, the industrialization of India’s defence sector, and advancing a wide range of cutting-edge technologies.
• France agreed to be part of India’s Venus mission, which is set to be launched in 2025.

Historical Background on India France Relations

• Historically, there have been cordial ties between France and India. Since India’s independence, the relationship has been prosperous. French aircraft and helicopters have been a part of India’s air fleet since the 1960s (Ouragan, Mystere, Alize, Alouette, Jaguar, etc.).
• In the 1970s, France shared the Viking and Centaure rocket technologies and assisted in establishing the Sriharikota launch facility.
• In 1984, the US withdrew from a deal to provide nuclear fuel for the Tarapur nuclear plant, citing domestic legal constraints. At that time, France helped India supply nuclear fuel.
• Even though the Cold War hampered the relationship, France had established itself as one of the West’s most dependable allies during that time.
• The two nations established a strategic partnership in 1998, which is symbolic of their agreement on various international issues. The areas of cooperation have grown since then.
• The strategic partnership is firmly rooted in a multipolar world shaped by reformed and successful multilateralism, abiding faith in strategic autonomy, unwavering commitment to international law, and belief in these principles.
• Both parties are dedicated to upholding the common values of democracy, basic liberties, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.
• The main pillars of our strategic partnership with France are cooperation in defence and security, space exploration, and civil nuclear energy.

India France Bilateral Relations

Since 1998, France and India have been strategic allies. The strategic partnership is firmly rooted in a multipolar world shaped by reformed and successful multilateralism, abiding faith in strategic autonomy, unwavering commitment to international law, and belief in these principles. Both parties are dedicated to upholding the common values of democracy, basic liberties, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.

Strategic Partnership

• The relationship between France and India changed when both countries formed a strategic partnership in 1998.
• The three main pillars of this strategic alliance are Military cooperation, Space cooperation, and Civil nuclear cooperation.
• The relationship is characterised by the fact that both nations favour a multipolar world governed by democracies rather than one polarised into two factions.
• France has consistently backed India’s bid for permanent membership in the UN Security Council (UNSC).
• France has also been a strong proponent of India’s membership in all four multilateral export control regimes, namely the Australia Group, the Wassenaar Arrangement, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and the Missile Technology Control Regime (AG).
• India’s acceptance into the WA, MTCR, and AG were all made possible by France’s assistance.
• The war against international terrorism is a priority for both countries.

Defence Relations

• India and France are committed to advancing their defence relations, and as a result, they are working to improve interoperability and continue discussions to create joint forces cooperation.
• An agreement for the provision of reciprocal logistical support had been signed between the two nations.
• One of the pillars of India and France’s strategic partnership has been defence industrial cooperation.
• Both President Macron of France and Prime Minister Modi praised the advancements made in carrying out previous agreements, particularly the delivery of the first Rafael fighter jet earlier this year.
• In the spirit of “Make in India,” and for the mutual benefit of both nations, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to furthering their cooperation in the defence industry. They also extended their support to current and upcoming alliances between the two countries' defence companies.
• The most well-known French defence products that India purchases are the Rafale aircraft and the P-75 Scorpene project.
• India and France conduct three different exercise between each other, i.e., SHAKTI, VARUNA, and GARUDA.
• Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL), a joint venture between the French aerospace company Dassault Aviation and India’s Reliance Group, has a manufacturing facility at Mihan in Maharashtra.

Economic Co-operation

• India and France agreed 2018 to increase their bilateral trade to 15 billion euros by 2022 and “timely relaunch” talks on a Free Trade Agreement between India and the EU.
• French-Indian trade, which had been steadily increasing, significantly decreased in 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis (€9 billion as opposed to €11.5 billion in 2019).
• France is India’s 17th largest customer and ranks 27th among countries that supply it, with a 1% market share.
• A sizable portion of French exports are made up of communications equipment, chemicals, and the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
• With a foreign direct investment stock of €9.8 billion at the end of 2020, France will rank among India’s top foreign investors (6th-largest G20 investor).
• There are currently over 540 French company subsidiaries working in various industries and employing about 300,000 people.
• India and France are working together as a part of the “Smart Cities” program. More than 20 cities already have sustainable urban development projects being carried out by French companies.

Civil Nuclear Cooperation

• India’s development of nuclear technology has benefited greatly from France.
• In 1950, the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) offered technical assistance to India for developing civil nuclear technology. This offer was realised in 1951 when the two nations signed a bilateral agreement “for the research and construction of beryllium-moderated reactors.”
• France was the only western nation to praise India’s peaceful nuclear explosion in 1974, citing it as evidence of India’s progress in the nuclear field.
• The French continued to supply fuel to India’s Tarapur Nuclear Plant after the US and Canada terminated their agreements in protest of the 1974 peaceful nuclear explosion, demonstrating their support for India long before the nuclear agreement.
• France publicly disagreed with US sanctions against India following the 1998 nuclear tests and contributed to the creation of a favourable environment for India’s negotiations with the IAEA.
• On September 30, 2008, an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation was signed between India and France.
• According to the agreement, France will swiftly implement the 9,900 MW Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project (JNPP) and build six 1,650 MW European Pressurized Reactors (EPR) nuclear reactors.

Space Co-operation

• The French Space Agency, CNES, and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) have a long history of joint space programs and satellite launches dating back fifty years.
• India and France both released a “Joint Vision for Space Cooperation” in 2018, which drew on their shared historical connections in the field of civilian space.
• Addressing global challenges, such as climate change, where both parties will continue their collaboration for climate monitoring on the joint missions Megha- Tropiques and Saral-Altika, the ongoing research of the Trishna satellite for land Infrared monitoring, and the Oceansat3-Argos mission.
• France and India have signed an agreement to collaborate on the Gaganyaan Mission.
• The French space agency, CNES, will support the development of scientific experiment plans and supply French tools, supplies, and medical equipment to Indian astronauts.
• The choice to train medical support personnel for Indian astronauts who will fly in space with India by 2022 was praised by both Prime Minister Modi and President Macron.

Climate Change

• France and India are stepping up their collaboration in the fight against climate change and for the environment.
• With a mission dedicated to preserving global public goods, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) began operating in India in 2008.
• The development of solar energy is promoted by the International Solar Alliance (ISA), which France and India jointly established in November 2015 during COP21.
• Priorities shared by France and India include the blue economy and coastal resilience. They also want to increase their cooperation in marine scientific research and their understanding of the oceans.

Cultural Cooperation

• The French people have a strong admiration for Indian culture.
• In an effort to promote their respective cultures, India and France co-host festivals: Namasté France featured India in late 2016 in France, while Bonjour India was held in India in late 2017 and early 2018.
• The Paris Book Fair hosted India as a special guest in 2021, and the New Delhi World Book Fair will host France in 2022.
• The following are some of the many notable Indians who have received awards from France for their work in their respective fields:
  • In recognition of Shri A.S. Kiran Kumar’s significant contribution to the growth of the France-India space cooperation, France has awarded him with its highest civilian honour.
  • GeneStore, an Indian-based diagnostics company, was recognised as the best investment in France.
  • Soumitra Chatterjee, an Indian, received France’s highest artistic honour.

Namaste France

The Indian cultural festival, "Namaste France," spanned 15 months from April 14, 2010, to June 28, 2011, successfully elevating India's cultural presence in France. The festival encompassed art, music, dance, fashion, tourism, films, literature, business, and education in both traditional and contemporary forms. 'Namaste France' was a response to the French cultural festival 'Bonjour India' organized by the French Embassy in India in 2009–2010. The festival aimed to strengthen cultural cooperation, leading to a Declaration of Intent signed during the visit of Minister Kumari Selja to Paris on January 26, 2012.

Bonjour India

In 1985, Indian performers received cheers at the Trocadero Alley in Paris, and in 1989, French artists captivated audiences at Marine Drive in Mumbai. After a two-decade hiatus, Bonjour India made a triumphant return in 2009, expanding its collaborations until 2013. The third edition, Bonjour India 2017–18, marks a significant milestone with a four-month-long journey across India, celebrating the Indo-French partnership and shaping the next decade of cultural exchange.

From November 2017 to February 2018, Bonjour India boasts over 100 programs and projects, spanning across 30 cities in 20 states and union territories. This initiative serves as a platform for enduring partnerships, showcasing Indo-French innovation and creativity in the thematic areas of Smart Citizen, High Mobility, and Go Green.

Bilateral Trade

• The last 10 years have seen a steady increase in bilateral trade with France, which is expected to reach USD 10.75 billion in 2020.
• The two sides agreed that it was critical to fast-track the trade and investment agreements between India and the EU.
• Contracts worth almost $16 billion were signed between the two nations recently.
• Over a hundred Indian businesses have established operations in France, compared to nearly 1,000 French companies.
• Previously, Indian businesses looked to the U.K. as their entry point into Europe; now, with Brexit rapidly approaching, India can also consider France an option.

Read the Article India Nepal Relations here!

Educational and Technical Cooperation

• Over the past few years, India and France’s bilateral educational cooperation has increased. Universities and private organisations in France and India have signed about 300 MoUs.
• The Indo-French Centre for Promotion of Advance Research (CEFIPRA), operational for 25 years, is the focal point for fostering cross-border scientific collaboration in fundamental and applied research, frontier technologies, and the exchange of scientists and postdoctoral researchers.
• French and Indian universities and research institutions are interested in advancing technological and scientific collaboration. To achieve this, the two parties introduced the “Raman-Charpak Fellowship” in February 2013, allowing the exchange of doctoral students from the two nations.
• Supported by scholarship programs and collaborations between Indian and French academic institutions, 10,000 Indian students were enrolled in French universities in 2019 (with a goal of 20,000 by 2025).
• The Educational Exchange Programme (EEP), which includes mutual recognition of degrees, strengthening the research programme, and enhancing student-scholar research mobility through a flexible visa regime, provides the framework for bilateral educational cooperation.

Indian Community in France

• Around 109,000 Indians, including NRIs, are thought to reside in mainland France; they primarily come from the French enclaves of Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam, Mahe, and Chandernagore.
• The French overseas territories of Reunion Island (280,000), Guadeloupe (60,000), Martinique (6,000), and Saint Martin (300) all have sizable populations of people of Indian origin.
• In France, there are more than 50 community organisations dedicated to India. Major communities with Indian ancestry belong to Gujarat, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.
• Through a 2008 agreement, Indian citizens living in France get access to French social security protection and services.

Challenges

There are some areas of concern between India and France. These are:

• Many projects discussed and agreed upon by the countries have yet to be implemented and are still in the planning stages. For instance, there are numerous domestic obstacles that have caused the Jaitapur nuclear project to stall.
• France and India do not have a free trade agreement despite having cordial ties. Additionally, there has yet to be any progress in the Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) between India and the EU.
• Both the nations have a different stance on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. France has openly denounced the Russian invasion, while India is taking a more moderate approach to the conflict. Their bilateral relationship has yet to be impacted by the difference in response. However, if the conflict continues, it might also affect the alliance between India and France.
• Mutual trust between the two countries is also harmed by the delays and controversy surrounding the Rafael deal.
• India’s position on the Belt and Road Initiative contrasts sharply with France’s commitment, which accounts for the strategic differences between the two countries.

Major Agreements Between India and France

India and France maintain strong and amicable relations, marked by a Strategic Partnership established in 1998, reflecting shared perspectives on various global issues alongside a deepening bilateral connection.The pillars of the Strategic Partnership include Defense & Security cooperation, Space Cooperation, and Civil Nuclear Cooperation. Additionally, the two nations foster a robust economic partnership, extending their collaboration to new frontiers like maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, counter-terrorism, climate change, renewable energy, and sustainable growth.

India and France exhibit a high level of alignment on regional and global matters. France's consistent backing for India's permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council, UN reforms, and crucial support in India's accession to international regimes like MTCR, WA, and AG underscores the strength of their collaboration. France also stands behind India's aspirations for membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

Way Forward

• France and India can work to forge stronger alliances within the current multilateral systems. They can work together within frameworks like COVAX and ACT to defend the interests of lower and middle-income countries, which have yet to be left out of multilateral forums addressing the current COVID-19 crisis.
• To improve cooperation between the two nations, French social security laws, long-term student visas, and the ability to work for two to three years to pay off student loans are some of the issues that need to be resolved.
• To swiftly finish the projects that are stalled, a joint working group can be established by properly addressing the factors obstructing their completion.
• India can use its positive relations with France to make the India-EU Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) a reality.
• The Partnership Agreement on Migration and Mobility, which became effective on 1 October 2021, is being actively pursued by France and India. While stepping up their efforts to stop irregular migration, both parties will continue to collaborate to increase the mobility of students, graduates, professionals, and skilled workers.
• In recent years, it become evident that developing business-to-business and person-to-person ties is crucial for a stronger partnership between the two nations.

Read the Article about Cuba American Relations here!

We hope that all your doubts regarding India France Relations will be cleared after going through this article. You can download the Testbook App now to check out various other topics relevant to the UPSC IAS Exam.