India-france Relations
INDIA-FRANCE RELATIONS
INTRODUCTION
India and France have long enjoyed a strong and friendly relationship. In 1998, the two countries established a Strategic Partnership, reflecting their shared views on various global issues, along with a deepening bilateral relationship. Key areas of cooperation in this partnership include Defence & Security, Space exploration, and civil nuclear collaboration.
In addition to these traditional sectors, India and France are expanding their cooperation into new areas such as security in the Indian Ocean region, climate change (including through the International Solar Alliance), and sustainable development.
Both countries share a strong alignment on a range of regional and global issues. Economically, while there is significant
potential, France’s business sector, industrial expertise, capital, and technology are helping to strengthen ties with India’s growing economy and developmental goals.
Cultural and educational exchanges between India and France are vibrant, and people-to-people connections continue to grow. The Indian diaspora has a notable presence in France and its overseas territories, further enriching this bilateral relationship.
HISTORY OF INDIA-FRANCE RELATIONS
• The French first arrived in India as traders in the 17th century, but their colonial ambitions led them to establish control over regions like Puducherry.
• While colonialism has long since ended, Puducherry has transformed into a popular tourist destination for French visitors to India. The political, commercial, and cultural connections between the two countries, established in that era, were maintained throughout the 19th century. Diplomatic relations were formalized after India's independence, and cooperation has since expanded across various sectors.
• Although France has always respected India’s desire for recognition as a distinct global power due to its rich civilization, the Cold War initially hindered the deepening of ties. However, post-Cold War, the relationship progressed with significant agreements, including the 1998 Strategic Partnership and the 2008 Civil Nuclear Agreement.
• In 2016, former French president François Hollande attended India's Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest, making France the only country to be invited five times, a historic achievement.
• In recent decades, cooperation has flourished in areas such as nuclear energy, space, counter-terrorism, defence, urbanization, and culture. President Emmanuel Macron’s 2018 visit further strengthened the regional aspect of the strategic partnership between the two nations.
The Strategic Partnership between India and France
On the basis of this old bond of trust that France and India decided to take a new step by establishing a strategic partnership in 1998. With the establishment of this partnership, there has been a significant progress in all areas of bilateral cooperation through regular high-level exchanges at the Head of State/Head of Government levels. The growing cooperation and exchanges include strategic areas such as defence, counter-terrorism, nuclear energy and space.
The Strategic Interests: Background
During cold war time, France was weary of subordinating its foreign policy to that of US’s. India was also pursuing NAM thus not succumbing to either super-power. After the end of the cold war, both India and France favoured multipolar world order as they were sceptic of US hegemony.
• France termed the US as hyper-power.
• France was the first P-5 country to support Indian membership in UNSC.
• They signed a strategic partnership in 1998.
• France supports India’s membership of Multilateral Export Control regimes, viz. NSG and MTCR.
• France’s support was vital in India’s accession to in 2016.
• France had been non-problematic about the “Quad Plus” coalitions, first floated in 2020, (but were dropped after US-France rift over the AUKUS agreement).
• India- France: Indo-Pacific Region Interests
France's territories in the Indian Ocean, including Réunion and Mayotte, and in the South Pacific, such as New Caledonia and French Polynesia, position France as a key stakeholder in the region.
• However, the regional aspect of the strategic partnership between India and France remained largely inactive for a long time, as India was hesitant to collaborate with any external powers, particularly Western countries, in the Indo-Pacific, due to its Cold War-era policy of non- alignment.
• This dynamic shifted with the growing influence of China in the region and the simultaneous decline of
U.S. dominance. As a result, India sought partnerships with like-minded nations to strengthen regional security frameworks.
• France, with its strategic islands in the region, also looked to form alliances to address the rising challenges posed by China.
• As two middle powers wary of hegemonic influence, India and France found common ground, recognizing each other as natural allies in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the western Indian Ocean.
• In 2017, Prime Minister Modi visited France and met President Emmanuel Macron, reaffirming India’s strong commitment to further deepening the India-France strategic partnership.
India- France: Defence Cooperation
Since 1980s defence cooperation increased as India was looking to diversify its military procurement to reduce over- reliance on USSR.
Major defence projects:
• India has secured 36 Rafale fighter jets through a government-to-government deal.
• P-75 Scorpene Project: India and France have signed a contract for six Scorpene submarines with technology transfer.
• Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL), a joint venture between French aerospace company Dassault Aviation and India’s Reliance Group, has set up a manufacturing facility at Mihan, Maharashtra. This facility is the first private plant in India for the production of Rafale fighter jets and Falcon civilian aircraft.
• The two nations hold an annual Ministerial-level Defence Dialogue, which has been conducted since 2018.
• India and France also conduct regular bilateral defence exercises, including Exercise Shakti (Army), Exercise Varuna (Navy), and Exercise Garuda (Air Force).
• Exercise Desert Knight is a joint military exercise involving India, France, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
India- France: Space Cooperation
• India and France have enjoyed over 50 years of collaboration in space, with ISRO and the French Space Agency (CNES) engaging in numerous joint research initiatives and satellite launches. To mark this milestone, a special joint stamp was released during Prime Minister Modi's visit to France in April 2015.
• Building on this longstanding partnership, both nations issued a “Joint Vision for Space Cooperation” during President Macron’s visit to India in March 2018. The Joint Vision outlines specific areas for future collaboration.
• Key initiatives include:
• The third joint satellite mission, TRISHNA, which will monitor ecosystem stress and water usage, as well as a French instrument on India’s OCEANSAT-3 satellite.
• The Megha-Tropiques satellite, developed together, continues to provide valuable scientific data by observing clouds and water vapor over tropical regions.
• A joint Ka-band propagation experiment is underway.
• As part of ongoing cooperation between ISRO and Arianespace, the GSAT-11 satellite was successfully launched from Kourou, French Guiana, in December 2018.
• France remains a key supplier of components and equipment for India’s space program.
India- France: Civil Nuclear Cooperation
• After India’s 1998 nuclear tests, France was one of key nuclear powers that understood India’s security concerns behind the decision.
• France collaborated with the United States to integrate India into the global nuclear framework, securing a country-specific waiver for India in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
• France was also the first country with which India signed a civil nuclear agreement after the NSG waiver. On 30 September 2008, during the visit of the Indian
Prime Minister to France, the civil nuclear cooperation
agreement was formalized.
Later, during French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit to India in December 2010, two significant agreements were signed. The General Framework Agreement and the Early Works Agreement were made between the
Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and M/s AREVA for the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project (JNPP), focusing on the implementation of the European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) technology.
INDIA- FRANCE: OTHER AREAS OF COOPERATION
Terrorism
• After the Paris bomb attacks, both countries increased cooperation on global terrorism. France supports India’s proposal of Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) in the UN.
• During former President Hollande’s visit in 2016, India and France issued a Joint Statement on Counter-Terrorism in which they resolved to step up bilateral cooperation in this field.
Environment
• In Paris summit (COP21) of UNFCC, India and France launched International Solar Alliance (ISA) which brings together countries between tropic of cancer and tropic of Capricorn for cooperation on solar energy.
• India and France also work together on climate and biodiversity. In this context, India joined the French-led initiative called the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, on 7 October 2021.
• At the One Ocean Summit on 11 February 2022, Prime Minister announced India’s support to the French initiative of the High Ambition Coalition on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) that calls for a legally binding BBNJ Treaty by the end of 2022.
• During the visit of The Minister of State for Development, to India on October 18, 2022 the “Indo-French Roadmap on the Development of Green Hydrogen” was adopted.
• During Macron’s visit, both countries decided to form a joint working group to institutionalize cooperation in the conservation of the environment.
Development Cooperation
AFD, the French Agency for Development has, since 2008, committed close to 2 billion Euros in the form of loans to the State and State-owned companies, as well as technical assistance programs. It has extended a loan of Euro 100 million to the Government of India for its Smart Cities Mission.
French side has been actively cooperating with various programmes in especially three Smart Cities, viz. Chandigarh, Nagpur and Puducherry.
Cultural Cooperation
Indian culture enjoys wide following amongst the people of France. There are many Indo-French cultural associations which organize various events across France. Indian diaspora through diverse community associations celebrate Diwali, Holi, Pongal, Onam, Lohri etc. and regularly organises cultural programs.
Indian Council for Cultural Relations regularly sends Indian cultural troupes to France.
Every year at the famous “Cannes Film Festival” a large Indian delegation participates to promote Indian films at the international stage.
Economic relation
Within the European Union, France is India’s third-largest trading partner, after the Netherlands and Germany. For the year 2024-25, Indian exports to France amounted to Euros 6.6 billion.
The bilateral trade between India and France has more than doubled in the last decade to Euros 12.67 billion in 2024-25. Bilateral trade with France is expected to grow further with the signing of India-EU Free Trade Agreement on 27 January 2026. 9 32.
France is the 11th largest foreign investor in India with a cumulative investment of Euros 9.79 billion from April 2000 to March 2025 which represents 1.61 percent of the total FDI inflows into India
Cooperation in the fields of S&T and Education
India and France have a rich history of in the field of Science and Technology. The Inter- Governmental Agreement for Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology was signed between the two countries on 18 July 1978.
An important development in the field of S&T cooperation was the signing of the agreement to establish a Joint India-France Science and Technology Committee on 25 January 2016 in New Delhi.
During the visit of Prime Minister Modi to France in April 2015, the two sides decided to facilitate professional experience for their students in both countries after the completion of their academic courses.
India and France agreed to launch scheme for Young Professionals in the age group 18 to 35 years (issue of 500 visas on both sides).
The India France Knowledge Summit is a bilateral forum dedicated to scientific and academic cooperation between France and India.
Counter-terrorism
France’s GIGN and India’s National Security Guard are strengthening their cooperation.
Critical technology
Cooperation in cutting-edge digital technology, including supercomputing, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. Atos and the Ministry of Earth Sciences of India have agreed on the supply of supercomputers.
Cooperation at International Forum
France supports India’s bid for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council as well as its entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Climate Cooperation
Both countries are concerned about climate change, and India has supported France in the Paris Agreement expressing its strong commitment to mitigating the effects of climate change. Both countries, as part of their joint efforts on climate change, launched the International Solar Alliance in 2015.
Defence Industrial Cooperation
Both India and France have committed to strengthening their defense industrial sectors, discussing opportunities for co-design, development, and production.
They have signed an agreement with Tata Group for civilian helicopter development and manufacturing, and are already working on the C-295 Transport Aircraft in Gujarat.
The partnership aims to produce H125 helicopters with a significant indigenous and localization component.
India is also in discussions with Safran about the Shakti jet engine deal, focusing on specifications aligned with India's future fighter jet requirements.
Indian community in France
It is estimated that the Indian community, including NRIs in mainland France number around 109,000, largely originating from French enclaves of Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam, Mahe and Chandernagore.
Sizeable number of Indian origin population lives in the French Overseas Territories of the Reunion Island (280,000), Guadeloupe (60,000), Maritinique (6,000) and Saint Martin (300). There are more than 50 Indian community organizations active in France. Major communities constituting the Indian origin population originate from Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Punjab.
Reciprocal Logistics Support Agreement
This Logistic Support agreement was inked the two countries during the State visit of President Emmanuel Macron to India in March 2018 .
The deal will facilitate the French and Indian armed forces to receive logistical support, supplies and services from each other during authorised port visits, joint exercises, joint training, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.
MULTILATERALISM AND UN REFORM
Both countries emphasized the need for reform and effective multilateralism, particularly the UNSC's reform. France supported India's permanent membership in the UNSC, while both emphasized the need for reform of Multilateral Development Banks. They welcomed the Independent Expert Group's report and acknowledged improved cooperation between the Paris Club and India in official debt restructuring cases.
PARTNERSHIP FOR THE PLANET AND GLOBAL ISSUES BETWEEN THE INDIA-FRANCE
Plastic pollution: India-France is committed to adopting an international treaty to end plastic pollution.
Health: A Letter of Intent is signed to enhance cooperation in hospitals, medical research, digital technology, biotechnology, public health, and combating microbial resistance.
Blue economy: A partnership is launched between IFREMER and India’s NIOT for ocean research.
Financing the energy transition: Funding is announced for sustainable city programs, clean energy projects, and microfinance initiatives in rural India.
Decarbonized hydrogen: A partnership is formed between McPhy and L&T for manufacturing electrolysers in India.
CHALLENGES IN INDIA-FRANCE RELATIONS
CURRENT SCENARIO
At the Bastille Day Parade, when an Indian tri-services marching contingent took part, the Indian Prime Minister was accompanied by the French President as the Guest of Honor. The Indian Air Force also participated in the flypast with Rafale aircraft.
Additionally, the joint declaration “25th Anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between France and India: towards a Century of Indo-French Relations” outlines important turning points for both countries’ bilateral relations up to 2047.
A framed copy of a 1916 photo showing a giving flowers to a Sikh officer was given to India by France.
A set of Marcel Proust novels and a chess set modelled like that of Charlemagne were also displayed by France.
During his visit, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the highest civilian and military award in France.
Furthermore, the agreement to jointly develop a combat aircraft engine and purchase three Scorpene submarines was not mentioned in the final joint statement.
INDIA-FRANCE RELATIONS: THE FUTURE
The India-France relationship is largely shaped by government-to-government interactions, but there is a need to strengthen people-to-people and business-to- business connections to deepen the partnership.
French infrastructure companies are keen to explore opportunities in India, especially in projects related to smart cities and renewable energy. India can make the most of this by improving the ease of doing business.
The Model Bilateral Investment Treaty has faced criticism from investors, and the government should reconsider it while addressing the concerns of all stakeholders.
Additionally, India and France should build on the reciprocal logistics support agreement to further strengthen their military cooperation.
CONCLUSION
The Indo-Pacific has gained significant prominence in the recent past and this is palpable due to the changing geopolitical and geoeconomic interests of various players that are active in this region. Highlighting the importance of the current situation in the Indo-Pacific, and its implications for India’s interest in the region, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar had remarked that India needs to “
engage America, manage China, cultivate Europe, reassure Russia, bring in Japan…is the ‘Sabka saath and sabka Vikas’ in India’s Foreign Policy” The statement highlights the strategic approach of India in this region.
The core democratic values and a joint vision for a sustainable and peaceful Indo-Pacific region have set a firm ground for India and France. The 25 years of its Strategic Partnership is a symbol of a stable and time-tested relationship whose base has been further strengthened for the future by some of the major areas of cooperation and initiatives jointly taken by both countries in the Indo-Pacific region