India and France elevated their relationship to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership” during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India Feb 17. This was a sign of stronger cooperation among two countries when global power continues to be influenced by the rivalry between the United States and China. For India, France has become its most dependable partner in Europe; it will assist India with defense, technology, and its ambitions as a country, while not compromising India’s sovereignty.
The India and France relationship developed in a very practical manner after India’s independence in 1947 with France’s peaceful cession of its territories in India including Puducherry by 1962. Early cooperation helped to build trust between the two countries.
During the duration of the Cold War, both the nations believed that countries should be able to make decisions independently from one another. France supported India’s space programme and modernization of its military, including supplying India with Mirage fighter jets. The trust between the two countries grew deeper after India’s nuclear tests in 1998 when France did not impose penalties on India and was the first West to establish a strategic relationship with India.
Since that time, co-operation between India and France in the area of military equipment has greatly increased; France has supplied India with Rafale fighter jets, Scorpène submarines, and missile systems and has helped India to diversify away from depending on only one country for military equipment.
Defense, technology, and the Indo-Pacific drive the modern partnership
Defence is still at the core of the relationship. As an example of how the relationship has evolved beyond simply being seller-buyers, there are now examples of co-development, such as Safran’s agreement to manufacture missiles in India and assemble helicopters.
Technology innovations and technological advances are equally strong partners in this relationship. For example, both countries started working together on artificial intelligence through the opening of an AI centre for health care located in New Delhi, as well as continued collaboration on space, including ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and CNES (Centre National d’Études Spatiales) supporting satellite missions and to support Indian human spaceflight program for the future.
Both countries also share strategic interests—Indo-Pacific region—in conducting naval activities and participating together in various maritime exercises, with an emphasis on securing shipping lanes and maintaining stability.
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Shared global ambitions—and unresolved challenges
Shared global ambitions (e.g., climate change, civil nuclear energy, reform of global governance) and remaining issues (e.g., India achieving a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and the recognition of India as a leading voice of the Global South) continue to be key components of both partners’ respective policies.
There are still some obstacles to overcome. The Jaitapur Nuclear project is moving slowly due to long-standing payment agreements and regulatory issues. Differences also exist with respect to Russia; France takes a different position than India in terms of the Ukraine/Eurasian conflict situation and risk trading with Russia. Trade between India and France compared to the full potential of their friendship is modest.
Despite these obstacles, there is still mutual political confidence in the two nations.
They are also enhancing their partnership as a reflection of shifting geopolitics. Both India and France are trying to become independent powers who work together in a balanced, multipolar world. The cooperation between the two countries goes beyond just bilateral gain; it is also about collaboratively establishing global standards/rules for defence, technology, and governance.
As global competition increases, the India–France relationship has the potential to become one of the main strategic relationships for the next generation or more.
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