Seth, Manju
India-France ties: 25 Years of a strategic partnership - Indian Foreign Affairs Journal - 17(3-4), Dec, 2022: p.222-232
India and France share a close and special relationship spanning a
wide spectrum of convergences, including in the strategic arena. While
diplomatic relations were established in 1947 almost immediately
after India’s independence, significantly, the first Strategic
Partnership entered into by India was with France, in January 1998.
Despite India being harangued and sanctioned by the USA and allies
after the nuclear tests at Pokhran in May 1998, it was France that
stood out as an abiding friend of India, and the partnership has
grown stronger and deeper with every passing year. The Strategic
Partnership is underpinned by three main pillars of cooperation and
collaboration — Defence, Nuclear, and Space/Aerospace. Each of
these have witnessed substantive expansion, and continue to define
the unique and diverse ties between the two countries.
The Horizon 2047 document issued after the visit of Prime Minister
Modi on 13–14 July 2023 to France, gives the roadmap and vision
for the future trajectory of the partnership when the centenary of the
bilateral ties, and the fiftieth year of the Strategic Partnership will
be commemorated.
The ties have been resilient, and the recent visit of the Prime Minister
Modi to France re-emphasised that India and France are in it for the
long haul. Given that India and France have, over the years,
demonstrated the strength of their almost ideal partnership, sharing
a commonality of approach on the many global challenges, including
Climate Change, Terrorism, Maritime Security, the Indo-Pacific, etc. Reproduced
https://www.jstor.org/stable/48772511
India-France ties: 25 Years of a strategic partnership - Indian Foreign Affairs Journal - 17(3-4), Dec, 2022: p.222-232
India and France share a close and special relationship spanning a
wide spectrum of convergences, including in the strategic arena. While
diplomatic relations were established in 1947 almost immediately
after India’s independence, significantly, the first Strategic
Partnership entered into by India was with France, in January 1998.
Despite India being harangued and sanctioned by the USA and allies
after the nuclear tests at Pokhran in May 1998, it was France that
stood out as an abiding friend of India, and the partnership has
grown stronger and deeper with every passing year. The Strategic
Partnership is underpinned by three main pillars of cooperation and
collaboration — Defence, Nuclear, and Space/Aerospace. Each of
these have witnessed substantive expansion, and continue to define
the unique and diverse ties between the two countries.
The Horizon 2047 document issued after the visit of Prime Minister
Modi on 13–14 July 2023 to France, gives the roadmap and vision
for the future trajectory of the partnership when the centenary of the
bilateral ties, and the fiftieth year of the Strategic Partnership will
be commemorated.
The ties have been resilient, and the recent visit of the Prime Minister
Modi to France re-emphasised that India and France are in it for the
long haul. Given that India and France have, over the years,
demonstrated the strength of their almost ideal partnership, sharing
a commonality of approach on the many global challenges, including
Climate Change, Terrorism, Maritime Security, the Indo-Pacific, etc. Reproduced
https://www.jstor.org/stable/48772511