India-France: Partnership for the Planet | 06 Jul 2024

In a recent event in Paris, India and France emphasised the ‘Partnership for the Planet’ as pivotal to the Indo-French Horizon 2047 Roadmap, highlighting their enhanced cooperation on climate change, biodiversity, health, and environmental issues.

The partnership is evolving to encompass Indo-Pacific biodiversity initiatives and emphasise innovation. France, through the French Development Agency (AFD), remains committed to supporting India's journey towards resilience and equity, with plans to showcase collaborative innovations during the upcoming Indo-French Year of Innovation in 2026.

Additionally, it underscores a joint commitment to harmonising socio-economic development with environmental protection, addressing global disparities, and advancing further cooperation and development towards sustainable solutions.

What are the Key Sectors and Initiatives Related to the Indo-French Horizon 2047 Roadmap?

• Partnership for the Planet and Global Issues:
  • Environment: Indo-France both countries are committed to promoting environmental sustainability through initiatives that focus on sustainable urban development, waste management, and water conservation.
    • Projects like the Pune metro system and Chandigarh’s water supply system, supported by AFD, emphasise sustainable urban infrastructure development.
    • Commitments to curb plastic pollution through international agreements, recycling programs, and innovative solutions.
  • Climate Change: Support for clean energy technologies, decarbonized hydrogen production, and financing initiatives for sustainable energy projects. This includes promoting renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
    • The International Solar Alliance, co-founded by India and France, promotes solar energy deployment in solar-rich countries to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
    • Since 2008, France has invested over 4 billion Euros through agencies like the French Development Agency (AFD) in climate projects in India, supporting initiatives from renewable energy to climate-resilient infrastructure.
  • Biodiversity: Both countries are engaged in conservation efforts to protect biodiversity hotspots and endangered species. Projects such as the conservation of one-horned rhinos in Assam, supported by AFD, demonstrate joint efforts to preserve India’s rich biodiversity.
    • India is the top partner for the AFD in terms of financial commitment. A substantial 63%% of its portfolio is dedicated to addressing gender equality.
• Partnership for People:
  • Student Mobility: Targeting 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030 and issuing 5-year short-stay visas for Indian Master's degree holders.
  • Diplomatic and Consular Network: Opening new consulates in Marseille and Hyderabad.
  • Culture: Collaboration on establishing a new National Museum in New Delhi and exchanging audio-visual content.
  • Research: Increased funding for the Indo-French Centre for Advanced Research.
• Partnership for Security and Sovereignty:
  • Indo-Pacific: India and France have jointly strategised to enhance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on maritime security, economic collaboration, and forming strategic partnerships with regional nations.
    • They conduct joint military exercises across all branches - Shakti (Army), Varuna (Navy), and Garuda (Air Force).
  • Defence: Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the acquisition of 26 Rafale aircraft for the Navy. He noted that negotiations on pricing and contractual procedures are progressing actively, although an official announcement may not be imminent.
    • Additionally, the DAC has sanctioned the construction of three additional Scorpène submarines (known as Kalvari class).
  • Space: ISRO and the French Space Agency (CNES) have been carrying on various joint research programmes and collaborating in satellite launches.
    • For example, in 2022, the GSAT-24 communication satellite of New Space India Ltd (NSIL) was successfully launched on board Ariane-5 from Kourou, French Guiana.
  • Civil Nuclear Energy: An agreement on civil nuclear cooperation was signed between India and France in 2008. France is involved in the construction of the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project.

What is the Significance of Indo-France Relations?

• Indo-Pacific Security: France's support is crucial for India in maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region and countering Chinese assertiveness in this region, This is exemplified by the 2018 India-France Joint Strategic Vision for Indian Ocean cooperation.
• Mutual Strategic Autonomy: The relationship is uniquely balanced, free from Anglo-Saxon influences in France and anti-Western sentiments in India. Moreover, after the nuclear tests in May 1998, when India declared itself a nuclear-weapon State, France was the first major power to open talks with India.
• International Organization Access: France's backing is vital for India's aspirations to join key bodies like the UN Security Council and the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
• Global Power Balance: Indo-France partnership plays a role in moderating Russian influence in Europe and Chinese influence in Asia, contributing to global stability and a balanced world order.
• Defence Cooperation: France holds substantial significance for India's defence sector through robust strategic partnerships and collaborations. The procurement of Rafale fighter jets from France, Additionally, France and India engage in joint military exercises, technology transfers, and collaborations in defence research and development,
• Future-Oriented Collaboration: The Horizon 2047 agreement outlines a 25-year roadmap for bilateral cooperation. It emphasises collaboration in advanced technologies like supercomputing, AI, and quantum computing, which are critical for India's future development.

What are the Challenges Related to Indo-France Relations?

• Economic Limitations:
  • The absence of a Free Trade Agreement hinders deeper economic ties and progress on the India-EU Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) has stalled, limiting further economic integration.
• Trade and Intellectual Property Issues:
  • Trade imbalance favours France, with higher exports to India and more often France has expressed concerns about inadequate protection of intellectual property rights for French businesses in India.
    • Some negotiated projects face operational challenges, such as the Jaitapur nuclear project.
• Divergent Geopolitical Stances:
  • Differing approaches to global issues are evident. For instance, France has openly criticised Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while India has maintained a more neutral stance.

What Steps Need to Be Taken to Accelerate Indo-France Relations?

• Economic Engagement:
  • Accelerate negotiations on the India-EU BTIA with France as a key supporter within the EU. Explore a bilateral economic partnership agreement as an interim measure. The Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (CEFIPRA) model could be expanded to other sectors.
    • The Japan-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement could serve as a model.
• Negotiating Trade and Intellectual Property:
  • Establish a joint working group on IP protection and technology transfer. Create sector-specific trade facilitation mechanisms.
    • Involve private sector expertise to overcome technical and financial hurdles. The success of the Rafale jets deal shows how political will can overcome obstacles.
• Managing Geopolitical Positions:
  • Increase strategic dialogues to align perspectives on global issues and collaborate on areas of mutual interest, such as Indo-Pacific security.
    • The India-France-Australia trilateral initiative demonstrates the potential for aligned interests.
• Addressing Emerging Global Tensions:
  • Enhance intelligence sharing and joint strategic assessments, and develop joint crisis response mechanisms. The Quad (India, US, Japan, Australia) framework could be expanded to include France in specific areas.
    • Collaborate on humanitarian aid and conflict resolution initiatives.
  • Strengthen naval cooperation in the Indian Ocean against China's Assertiveness, Example: Expand joint naval exercises like Varuna to include other regional partners.

Conclusion

As global dynamics shift, the India-France partnership is poised to play a significant role in shaping a balanced and stable international order. By leveraging their complementary strengths and addressing existing challenges, India and France can elevate their partnership to new heights, benefiting not just both nations but contributing to global peace, security, and prosperity.