India-France Relations

The Prime Minister of India visited France to attend the AI Action Summit at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron to co-chair the Summit.

• Both leaders held bilateral discussions on multifaceted bilateral cooperation and on global and regional matters and review the progress on 2047 Horizon Roadmap for India-France strategic partnership

Key Outcomes of the Visit

• Nuclear Cooperation
• • Joint Development of Modern Nuclear Reactors: Formal recognition of nuclear energy’s role in energy security and low-carbon economy.
  • Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant (JNPP): Agreement to build 6 EPR reactors through India-France collaboration.

• • Special Task Force on Civil Nuclear Energy: Established to oversee nuclear projects.
  • Letter of Intent on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) & Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs): Future cooperation in next-gen nuclear technology.
  • Education & Training Agreement: Between India’s Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), and France’s National Institute for Nuclear Energy and Technology (INSTN), French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).
• Artificial Intelligence & Innovation
  • India-France AI Roadmap: Joint focus on safe, open, and trustworthy AI.
    • India hosting the next AI Summit.
  • India-France Year of Innovation (2026): Cross-sectoral initiative announced, focusing on technology, culture, and education.
• Indo-Pacific & Global Cooperation
  • Indo-Pacific Triangular Development Cooperation: Joint climate and SDG projects in third countries.
  • Strengthening IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Corridor): Agreed to work on building IMEEC.
    • Connectivity partnership to enhance trade and infrastructure.
  • Global Governance Reforms: France reiterated support for India’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council.
• People-to-People & Cultural Ties
  • 60th Anniversary of Cultural Agreement (1966): Plans for cultural exchanges under the 2026 Year of Innovation.
  • Indian Consulate in Marseille: Inauguration formalized to strengthen diplomatic and cultural ties.
  • Indian Student Mobility Target: 30,000 students in France by 2030, with streamlined visa processes and scholarships.
  • Historical Ties: Recognition of shared history, including the role of Indian soldiers in World Wars and Veer Savarkar’s connection to Marseille.
  • Olympics Support: Sharing French expertise for India’s 2036 Olympic bid.

History of India-France Relations

• Early Interactions (17th–18th Century)
  • Colonial Presence: France established its presence in India during the 17th century, competing with the British and Portuguese for trade and territorial control.
    • The French East India Company was founded in 1664, and trading posts were established in Pondicherry (now Puducherry), Chandernagore (now Chandannagar), Mahe, Yanam, and Karaikal.
  • Anglo-French Rivalry: The Carnatic Wars (1746–1763) between the British and French East India Companies were fought for control over South India.
    • The French were eventually defeated, leading to the decline of their territorial ambitions in India.
• Post-Independence Era (1947–1990s)

• • Diplomatic Relations: India and France established diplomatic relations in 1947, shortly after India’s independence.
    • France supported India’s non-aligned stance during the Cold War and maintained a balanced relationship despite India’s closer ties with the Soviet Union.
  • Cultural Ties: The French Institute of Pondicherry (1955) and the Alliance Française network in India played a significant role in promoting cultural and academic exchanges.
  • Economic Cooperation: France became a key partner in India’s industrialization efforts, particularly in sectors like energy, aviation, and infrastructure.
• Strategic Partnership (1998–Present)
• • Landmark Agreement: In 1998, India and France signed their first-ever Strategic Partnership, marking a new era in bilateral relations. This was India’s first strategic partnership with any country.
  • Pillars of Partnership: The partnership is built on three main pillars: defence and security, civil nuclear cooperation, and space collaboration.
  • Defence Cooperation: France has been a reliable defence partner, supplying advanced military equipment such as the Mirage 2000 fighter jets and Scorpene submarines.
  • Civil Nuclear Cooperation: France played a crucial role in supporting India’s civil nuclear program after the Indo-US nuclear deal (2008).

Key Milestones in the 21st Century

• 2008: France supported India during the NSG waiver, enabling India to engage in civil nuclear trade globally.
• 2015: PM Modi visited France, and the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation in renewable energy, urban development, and counter-terrorism.
• 2016: The Rafale deal was signed, marking a significant milestone in defence cooperation.
• 2018: President Emmanuel Macron visited India, and the two countries adopted the Joint Strategic Vision for Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.
• 2023: The 25th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership was celebrated, and the Horizon 2047 roadmap was adopted to guide the partnership for the next 25 years.

Key Areas of India-France Cooperation

Defence and Security Cooperation

• Defence Procurement & Industrial Cooperation
  • Rafale Jets: India procured 36 Rafale fighter jets from France.
    • Talks ongoing for 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for the Indian Navy.
  • Scorpene Submarine Project (P-75): 6th and final submarine, INS Vaghsheer, commissioned in Jan 2025.
    • Collaboration on 3 more Scorpene submarines with DRDO-developed Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) integration.
    • Consideration of Integrated Combat System (ICS) for future P75-AS submarines.
  • Missile and Engine Cooperation: Ongoing discussions on jet and helicopter engines with Safran Group.
    • Collaboration on long-range missiles, guided munitions, and air defence systems.
    • India invited France to consider acquiring Pinaka MBRL (Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher).

• • India as Observer in Eurodrone MALE Programme: Participation in OCCAR’s medium-altitude long-endurance drone project​.
• Military Exercises & Maritime Cooperation
• • Joint Military Exercises: Varuna (Navy), Garuda (Air Force), Shakti (Army), La Pérouse (Multilateral).
  • Indian Navy and French Carrier Strike Group Joint Operations: France’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier visited India in Jan 2025.
    • Enhanced maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare collaboration.
  • Maritime Surveillance & Indo-Pacific Strategy: France’s liaison officer at India’s Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).
    • Joint Indo-Pacific strategy to counter Chinese expansionism and enhance regional security​.

Civil Nuclear Cooperation

• Joint Research in Nuclear Fusion: India is a member of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France.

Space & Digital Cooperation

• 50+ Years of ISRO-CNES Collaboration:
  • TRISHNA (Thermal Infra-Red Imaging Satellite for High-Resolution Natural Resource Assessment) satellite for thermal infrared imaging to monitor surface temperature and water management globally. (launch in 2026).
  • Earth observation & maritime domain awareness projects.
• Strategic Space Dialogue: France and India to deepen cooperation in satellite development, human spaceflight, and space situational awareness.
• Cybersecurity & AI Cooperation: India hosting the next AI Summit after France’s AI Action Summit (2025).
  • India-France Roadmap on AI launched, focusing on safe, open, and trustworthy AI.
  • 10 Indian startups joined French incubator Station F.
• UPI Payment Expansion in France: UPI real-time payment system to be used in France, expanding financial cooperation​.

Trade & Economic Cooperation

• Bilateral Trade (2024-25): Trade reached a record high in aerospace, defence, energy, consumer goods.
  • Bilateral trade reached US$ 13.38 billion in 2023-24.
  • France is India’s 11th largest investor, with $10.76 billion in FDI.
• India-France CEO Forum: 
  • Identified key sectors: aviation, urban development, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing.
  • Tata-Airbus partnership to manufacture civilian helicopters.
• Support for Indian Startups & MSMEs: Agreement for €13 million investment in Indian microfinance & women entrepreneurship.
• Sustainable Urban Development & Green Technologies: Joint Working Groups (JWG) on energy, infrastructure, sustainable urban development​.

Indo-Pacific & Global Multilateral Cooperation

• India-France Indo-Pacific Triangular Development Cooperation: Focus on climate & SDG-based projects in third countries (small island nations & African states).
• UNSC Reform & Multilateralism: France supports India’s permanent membership in the UNSC.
  • Cooperation on regulating veto power use in cases of mass atrocities​.
• Blue Economy: Launch of a partnership between IFREMER (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) and India’s National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) on ocean research, under the roadmap on Blue Economy and Ocean Governance adopted by France and India in 2022.
• Climate Action & Marine Conservation:
  • France co-leads International Solar Alliance (ISA) & Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) with India.
  • Strengthened focus on marine biodiversity & ocean governance under United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC).
    • Upcoming third UNOC-3 to be held in Nice, France in June 2025 aims to support further and urgent action to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. (SDG 14-life below water).

People-to-People & Cultural Cooperation

• Education & Skill Development:
  • The International Classes Scheme, launched in September 2024, offers Indian students a year of French language and academic preparation in top French universities; student numbers are expected to rise to 10,000 by 2025.
    • Target: 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030.
  • Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) launched for employment & migration under India-France Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA)
  • Bilateral agreement for vocational training & skill development.
• Cultural Exchanges & Historical Ties:
  • An agreement was signed between the National Museum in Delhi and France Muséums Développement in December 2024. 
    • Enhancing museum cooperation and professional training, with France also considering participation in the National Maritime Heritage Complex.
  • Celebrations of “Bonjour India” & “Namaste France” festivals​.

Challenges in India-France Relations

• Lack of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU: India and the European Union (EU), of which France is a key member, have not finalized the India-EU Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA).
  • Negotiations for the India-EU FTA started in 2007 but remain stalled due to differences over market access, intellectual property rights (IPR), and regulatory barriers.
  • Restarted in 2022 with an aim to address the previously stalled issues.
• Bureaucratic and Regulatory Hurdles: French investors in India face challenges due to complex regulations, policy unpredictability, and approval delays.
  • Dassault’s struggles in fulfilling the Rafale deal’s offset obligations highlight India’s strict compliance rules for defence deals.
• Visa and Mobility Restrictions: Indian professionals and students face long visa processing times, work permit issues, and language barriers in France.
  • Indian IT professionals find it difficult to get long-term work permits compared to Germany or the UK.
• Slow Progress in Defence Technology Transfer: France is a key defence supplier to India, but technology transfer agreements face delays due to cost concerns and security sensitivities.
  • Jet Engine Collaboration (Safran-HAL): Talks on co-developing next-gen fighter jet engines remain stalled over tech-sharing terms.
• Strategic Divergences in the Indo-Pacific: India and France share Indo-Pacific security interests, but differences exist in operational priorities and commitments.
  • France focuses on the South Pacific (New Caledonia, Polynesia), while India prioritizes the Indian Ocean.
• Political & Diplomatic Differences on Multilateral Issues: France supports India’s permanent UNSC membership, but there are differences in global governance reforms and climate negotiations.
  • Climate Talks (COP Summits): France pressures India to commit to faster carbon neutrality, while India insists on “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities” (CBDR).

Way Forward for Strengthening India-France Relations

• Fast-Tracking India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA)India should offer tariff reductions on high-demand French exports (wine, dairy, luxury goods), while France should ease restrictions on Indian IT services, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.
  • A bilateral investment treaty (BIT) can provide a stable framework for French investors in India.
• Balancing Trade and Addressing Non-Tariff Barriers: Regular dialogues between trade ministries to resolve issues like sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) barriers on basmati rice and marine exports.
  • Encouraging French investment in Indian manufacturing (Make in India initiative) to balance the trade gap.
• Deepening Defence & Technology Transfer Agreements: Accelerate Rafale jet engine co-development with Safran-HAL by ensuring clear terms for tech transfer.
  • Fast-track Scorpene submarine collaboration with full stealth technology transfer.
  • Joint production of advanced drones, missiles, and naval assets for the Indo-Pacific.
• Enhancing Indo-Pacific Strategic Cooperation: More joint naval exercises (Varuna, La Pérouse) and maritime surveillance.
  • Establish a permanent strategic naval presence in the Indo-Pacific (e.g., joint patrolling missions).
  • Expand India-France-Australia and India-France-UAE trilateral dialogues.
• Expanding Nuclear Energy & Clean Tech Collaboration: Expedite Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project with financing solutions.
  • Strengthen collaboration on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs).
  • Expand India-France cooperation in green hydrogen, battery storage, and solar power (International Solar Alliance – ISA).
• Easing Visa & Mobility Restrictions: Implement faster work visa processing for Indian IT professionals & researchers.
  • Offer post-study work permits for Indian students, like UK’s 2-year visa program.
  • Expand India-France Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) for mutual workforce integration.
• Strengthening AI, Digital & Cybersecurity Collaboration: Implement India-France AI Roadmap (2026 Year of Innovation) for joint AI development.
  • Expand cybersecurity dialogues & data protection agreements.
  • Encourage joint AI & tech startups through incubators like Station F.
• Strengthening People-to-People & Cultural Ties: Expand “Bonjour India” & “Namaste France” festivals to promote cultural diplomacy.
  • Strengthen historical tourism linkages (WWI & WWII Indian soldiers’ memorials in France).
  • Foster city-level sister-city partnerships (e.g., Puducherry-Marseille exchanges).

Conclusion

India-France relations are evolving into a comprehensive strategic partnership, encompassing defence, nuclear energy, AI, trade, Indo-Pacific security, and cultural diplomacy. With the Horizon 2047 roadmap, both nations aim to strengthen sovereignty, technology exchange, and global cooperation, making the partnership a key pillar in India’s foreign policy.