Dr. Roshan writes: The French President Mr. François Hollande was the chief guest at India’s 67th Republic Day celebrations, to commemorate the Indo-French Friendship. This was his second visit and a fifth from a French Head of State. As strategic partners India – and France share many common objectives, they both believe in upholding democratic institutions and respecting liberty and human rights in the civilian arena .In defence, both the countries have enhanced their bilateral defence exercises with all the three wings of defence forces. On 14-15 January, Paris was the home to the first-ever bilateral dialogue on ‘Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean Region’ and previously the Indian navy had conducted in April 2015 the joint naval exercise ‘Varuna’ with the French carrier strike group. Both the countries also successfully carried out ‘Air Exercise Garuda’ and the recent ‘Shakti’ exercises conducted by the two armies to counter terrorism. India and France had also reiterated their commitment to counter terrorism, they agreed to intensify cooperation between the Indian and French security forces in the fields of homeland security, cyber security, Special Forces and intelligence-sharing to fight against criminal networks and tackle the common threat of terrorism[1].In the joint statement published by the Ministry of External Affirs(MEA) various issues were elaborated. They pledged to strengthen their strategic partnership and the French president supported the Indian candidature to UN ‘Security Council’ and India’s accession to the four multilateral export control regimes, namely, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Australia Group, and the Wassenaar Arrangement.
As far as nuclear energy is concerned, continuing with the 2008 Agreement on the Development of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, the negotiations are in progress for the construction of six nuclear power reactor units at Jaitapur. France has also ensured its commitment to provide uninterrupted and continued access to nuclear fuel supply throughout the lifetime of the plants. France had successfully chaired the climate change summit-COP21 in December 2015 and continuing with this spirit both the countries pledged to collaborate in sustainable development and renewable energy projects. Solar Energy was one area where in 2015 both the countries had launched the new International Solar Alliance (ISA) initiative, and in this visit the foundation stone of the building for Headquarters of International Solar Alliance (ISA) was laid down and the interim Secretariat of the ISA in Gurgaon was formed, on 25 January 2016. As far as urban development was concerned France will now be giving technical assistance in developing India’s three smart cities namely Chandigarh, Nagpur and Puducherry.Also the Indian Ministry of Railways and French National Railways SNCF would continue to support semi high-speed projects, station renovation projects and the Joint Venture agreement signed between the Indian Railways and Alstom for the supply of 800 high horse power locomotives manufactured in India[2].India and France had cooperated in the field of space and celebrating the fiftieth Anniversary, their Space Agencies signed agreements to cooperate in definition studies on a future joint Thermal Infrared Earth Observation mission and hosting of the French instrument for data collection on India’s Oceasnsat-3 satellite[3]. Apart from these the other areas where significant understanding and MOUs were signed were in the field of Skill Development, Education, Tourism and Science and Technologies. Though there were some minor glitches like the operational of the Inter-Governmental Agreement on the Rafael deal, but there was an assurance given that those would be resolved soon. Thus the visit was significant as it paved a way towards strengthening the bilateral relationship.
End Notes
[1]India-France Joint Statement on the occasion of the State Visit of President Francois Hollande of the French Republic to India (January 25. 2016)January 25, 2016, Ministry of External Affairs, at http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/26297/IndiaFrance+Joint+Statement
[2]Ibid
[3]Ibid