Official Indian sources said that during Prime Minister Modi's visit to France, the two countries signed a series of agreements to strengthen cooperation in the fields of infrastructure development, climate action, education, sports, culture, etc. French Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain also said the two countries will strengthen their cooperation in the fields of defence, green hydrogen and person to person exchanges. France is India's oldest strategic partner in the West and Prime Minister Modi's visit is expected by both sides to deepen ties between Paris and New Delhi.
The fact that Indian troops have been invited to take part in one of the largest military parades in Europe showed that defense cooperation remains an important pillar in France-India relations, an expert from the Paris-based Centre for South Asian Studies said. The increased naval cooperation with New Delhi helps Paris strengthen its position in the Indo-Pacific region, where France has a chain of islands and a large maritime exclusive economic zone.
Meanwhile, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, during the 2018-2022 period, France was India's second largest arms supplier. The conflict in Ukraine has also "contributed” to New Delhi's efforts to diversify its supply of military equipment.
Economic, trade and investment cooperation are also key areas of the Franco-Indian partnership. According to French government data, the volume of trade between France and India increased by about 19% in 2022, reaching a value of more than 15 billion EUR. This increase is believed to stem from France's push toward the import of refined petroleum products from India after the conflict broke out in Ukraine. French direct investment in India amounted to 11 billion EUR, creating about 450,000 jobs. Paris is also paying much attention to promoting the negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union (EU).
Some analysts argued that France and India share a similar view of strategic autonomy, with both countries trying to keep a balanced relationship with the opposing sides in the conflict. India currently holds the role of Chairman of the G20, a group of the world's leading developed and emerging economies. New Delhi is considered to have skillfully balanced its relationship with both the West and Russia on the Ukraine issue. With its growing position and balanced stance in foreign policy, India is seen as the perfect partner for France to overcome the disadvantages arising from the increasingly acute geopolitical divisions in the world.
In a recent press conference, Elysee Palace officials emphasised the "inevitable nature" of the France-India strategic partnership. Currently, India is the 5th largest economy in the world and the 2nd largest economic partner of France in Asia.
Speaking before departing for Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed the importance India attaches to its long-standing and time-tested strategic partnership with France. The fact that Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to be awarded the Order of the Legion of Honour, the highest award of the French State, during his visit to Paris this time, also reflects the growing strategic partnership between the two countries.
