Talks at Jaipur’s Rambagh also focussed on expanding Indo-French global partnership encompassing the Indo-Pacific region, counter terrorism, maritime security, space and civil nuclear sectors, climate change, renewable and sustainable development, digitalisation and cyber security.
Macron was given a royal welcome and he visited iconic sites in the city and did a roadshow with Modi. Twenty-five years after the launch of their strategic partnership, India and France embarked on new common goals for the next 25 years. France sought to expand cooperation and finalise new initiatives under partnership for security and sovereignty, partnership for the planet and partnership for the people, according to an MEA official.
Defence and security, civil nuclear matters and space constitute principal pillars of this partnership and now includes a strong Indo-Pacific component. The two sides explored newer areas of cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region where France is a trusted partner for India.
Indo-French defence partnership has increased steadfastly over the past four decades. During Modi’s Paris visit as Guest of Honour for Bastille Day last July, the two countries decided to “extend their ground-breaking defence cooperation in advanced aeronautical technologies by supporting the joint development of a combat aircraft engine”.
Macron’s visit comes at a time when India is looking at buying 26 Rafale M fighters for the Indian Navy’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. As part of expanded defence cooperation, New Delhi and Paris also plan to build three more Scorpene-class submarines with technology from France. India and France are ready to explore more ambitious projects to develop the Indian submarine fleet and its performance.Officials said that there is a French commitment to support technology transfer and Make in India. Discussions have moved forward on the defence industrial roadmap and the two sides are also working on other co-development and co-production projects. The two countries also support industrial cooperation for motorisation of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian multi role helicopter programme with Safran.India-France Strategic Partnership, the first signed with any western country, has seen progress in bilateral, regional and international context. The partnership draws strength from a shared sense of strategic autonomy and sovereignty, a quest for the multi-polar world and a natural affinity for democratic values and rule of law.
