All facets of bilateral cooperation having a strategic component are covered by the France-India collaboration. It is founded on tight collaboration in the areas of space, defence, civil nuclear energy, and security (including intelligence, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism). It currently has a significant Indo-Pacific component.
On France and India’s commitment to Horizon 2047 as a strategic leadership, as well as their peace initiatives, bilateral defence cooperation, and space cooperation. The French president recognised the value of France and India’s efforts to promote peace, especially in relation to the Russia-Ukraine Conflict and New Delhi’s position as a mediator.
Expanding space cooperation and fortifying bilateral defence ties were the main topics of discussion with the French Minister of Military Affairs. Rafale Marine planes, Scorpene submarines, and the incorporation of indigenous armaments on the Rafale jet were among the main topics of debate.
In 2047, which will mark 100 years of India’s independence, 100 years of diplomatic relations, and 50 years of the Indo-French strategic partnership, it provides a roadmap for France-India relations in every sector. As a visionary document, it seeks to strengthen cooperation in the areas of defence, space, civil nuclear energy, renewable resources, cyberspace, digital technology, counter-terrorism, maritime security, joint defence exercises, and the blue economy.
The following are the primary foundations for India and France’s major areas of cooperation:
Strategic Partnership
India and France have a long history of economic, cultural, and trade relations.
Since its inception in 1998, the strategic alliance has grown stronger and more complex, spanning a range of areas of collaboration.
Defence Collaborations
France has made some of its best defence systems available to India, starting with the Rafale agreement and continuing with the purchase of 26 Marine aircraft. However, six Scorpene-class submarines have previously been built by India thanks to French technology transfers, and three more are currently being purchased to supplement the navy’s dwindling strength. Joint exercises include the Army’s Shakti, the Navy’s Varuna, and the Air Force’s Garuda.
2008 saw the signing of a civil nuclear cooperation agreement between France and India. Despite poor progress since the original agreement, France is involved in the development of the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project.
Furthermore, the two countries have decided to collaborate on Advanced Modular Reactors (AMR) and Small Modular Reactors (SMR).
Marine and Maritime Cooperation
The 2022 India-France Roadmap on Blue Economy and Ocean Governance serves as the framework for Indo-French maritime cooperation.
Trade and Economic Cooperation
With more than 1,000 French businesses working in India, France has emerged as a major source of FDI (Foreign Direct Investment). According to DPIIT data, it contributed USD 10.84 billion (1.63% of total FDI) between April 2000 and December 2023, making it the eleventh largest foreign investor.
However, the India-France relationship faces a number of difficulties, including FTA stagnation. Maximising their commercial potential is hampered by France and India’s lack of a free trade agreement. Having different defence and security agendas can affect cooperation even in the case of a solid defence alliance. France’s global objectives occasionally clash with India’s non-aligned posture and regional concentration. For instance, different positions on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, worries over Intellectual Property Rights: France has voiced worries about India’s inadequate protection of intellectual property, which has an impact on French companies and makes it more difficult to have a positive bilateral trade climate.
Among these strategic agreements, concerns about human trafficking and obstacles to visas were crucial measures in ensuring the security of the two nations to combat transnational crimes and guarantee personal safety. Cases such as the human trafficking event involving the Nicaraguan flight underscore the necessity of increased collaboration. In a letter of protest, correspondents in India expressed their worries, pointing out that increased visa requirements in recent years have made it more difficult for them to report and receive coverage. Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations have made it difficult for India to export to France and may deter Indian goods from doing so.
India and France are expected to work together on a number of issues, including balancing dependencies and influencing the global order. The Indo-Pacific framework has strengthened its ties, with France having significant stakes in the stability of the Indian Ocean because of its bases and territory.
India’s ambitious intentions to develop private and foreign investment in its domestic weapon production already heavily rely on France. New areas of collaboration, like science and technology, cyber security, climate change, and connectivity, should be discussed.
Regarding the significance of France’s unique strategic relationship with India, which is a bilateral diplomatic relationship, the Republic of India’s Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, visited France on February 10–12, 2025, at Emmanuel Macron’s request.
France and India co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit, which took place on February 10 and 11, to commemorate this visit. The joint statement released at the conclusion of President Macron’s state visit to India in January 2024 and the Horizon 2047 Roadmap released during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to France in July 2023 both reaffirmed the President and Prime Minister’s shared vision of India-France bilateral cooperation and international partnership during this visit. They praised the advancements in bilateral cooperation and promised to keep accelerating it in line with its three main tenets.
Both leaders applauded the opening of a regional Raisina Dialogue in Marseille in 2025 that would focus on Mediterranean issues. The goal of the dialogue is to improve trade and connectivity between the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific regions by fostering high-level discussions with government representatives, business executives, trade and connectivity experts, and other pertinent stakeholders.
However, both leaders praised the International Classes Scheme’s successful September 2024 launch, which teaches French as a foreign language, academic content, and methodology to Indian students at prestigious French universities in France for a year before they can enrol in their desired courses there. It would make it easier for students to move around and reach the goal of 30,000 Indian students studying in France by 2030. In that sense, they applauded the growing number of Indian students in France, which is predicted to hit an all-time high of 10,000 by 2025.
Last but not least, both leaders praised the Young Professionals Scheme (YPS)’s operationalisation under the India-France Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA), which will promote two-way professional and youth mobility and deepen the friendship between the French and Indian people. Both leaders also emphasised the importance of completing the Memorandum of Understanding as soon as possible in order to promote collaboration in the areas of skill development, vocational education, and training. This will provide both nations with the chance to further their cooperation in these areas.
The two presidents decided to collaborate more closely on the implementation of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) after recalling its inception on the fringes of the G20 Summit in Delhi in September 2023. In order to promote connectivity, sustainable growth paths, and access to renewable energy throughout these regions, both presidents emphasised the significance of IMEC. In this sense, they recognised Marseille’s advantageous location in the Mediterranean Sea. In the meantime, they emphasised how crucial it is to improve ties between the EU and India in anticipation of the next India-EU summit in New Delhi as soon as feasible.
Conclusion
One of France’s closest allies is India; the two nations have a long history of mutual respect and trust and have been strategic partners since 1998. India and France have similar ideas about how to improve global governance procedures. In addition to global export control regimes (accession to MTCR in June 2016, Wassenaar Arrangement in December 2017, Australia Group in January 2018), France backs India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. India and France discuss their stances at regional, multilateral, and UN organisations. In addition to yearly Foreign Office consultations at the Foreign Secretary level, they also have a strategic discourse. There have been regional consultations on Asia, Africa, North Africa, and the Middle East since the French president’s state visit in March 2018.
France and India commemorated their strategic partnership’s 25th anniversary in 2023. A roadmap outlining the direction of the bilateral relationship through 2047, the centennial of India’s independence, and a roadmap devoted exclusively to our cooperation in the Indo-Pacific were both adopted during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France on July 13–14, 2023. From the ocean below to space, our strategic alliance today encompasses far more than just security and defence concerns.
In order to improve energy security and make the shift to a low-carbon economy, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron emphasised the need for nuclear energy as a component of the energy mix. Both leaders recognised the civil nuclear connections between France and India as well as their collaborative efforts on peaceful nuclear energy applications, particularly with regard to the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant Project. They applauded the first meeting of the Special Task Force on Civil Nuclear Energy, the signing of the Implementing Agreement between France’s INSTN, CEA and India’s GCNEP, DAE for cooperation in nuclear professional training and education, and the letter of intent on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) and Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR).
In addition to supporting sustainable lifestyles, the two presidents reaffirmed their nations’ commitment to working together to address environmental problems and challenges, such as climate change. The leaders praised the resumption of the Ministries of Environment’s bilateral cooperation in the environmental sphere.
In keeping with their great rapport, the two leaders travelled to Marseille, where President Macron gave Prime Minister Modi a private supper. They honoured the 10,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in France during World War I at the Mazargues Military Cemetery. Together, they opened the Indian Consulate General in Marseille. They went to the port of Marseille as well. Finally, the two leaders went to Cadarache to tour the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) site. Following the visit, President Macron went to the airport in Marseille with Prime Minister Modi.
The fact that both presidents valued regular military exercises in all domains, including maritime exercises and joint patrols by maritime patrol planes, impressed me. The Indian Navy’s participation in the French multinational exercise La Perouse, the French Carrier Strike Group Charles De Gaulle’s January 2025 visit to India, and the forthcoming Varuna exercise in March 2025 were all highlighted.
Readers might be curious about the overall relevance of the strategic alliance between France and India. The India-France strategic alliance, which promotes collaboration in defence, space, and counterterrorism and increases both countries’ regional and international power, seems to me to be of considerable geopolitical significance. However, the reader could still be curious about how the strategic relationship has changed over time. Through defence cooperation like the Rafale agreement, collaborative space missions, and a shared commitment to climate action, we see that the India-France strategic partnership has become stronger, demonstrating a complex partnership.
Finally, the strategic convergence between France and India has its origins in the late 1990s, when India, led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, carried out a series of nuclear tests in May 1998. In addition to officially joining the nuclear weapons club, this legislation paved the way for India to form its first Strategic Partnership.
India and France have a complex relationship that is characterised by mutual respect, common ideals, and significant agreement on a range of global concerns. To strengthen this connection and improve understanding between parties, there must be a greater emphasis on P2P relationships through educational and cultural exchanges, as well as B2B cooperation through investment and technology exchange.
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