India-France strengthen ties, sign pact to counter China's influence
India and France strengthened their 20-year-old strategic ties on Saturday as President Macron met PM Modi and signed 14 pacts ranging from cooperation in security to space exploration to clean energy. Among the security pacts is an agreement for reciprocal logistics support between Indian and French armed forces and a blueprint to step up cooperation in the Indian Ocean to counter China's growing influence.
PM Modi says India-France is cooperating on all fronts
"From the ground to the sky, there is no subject on which India and France are not working together," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Macron's visit to India serves a two-fold purpose
The pacts were signed on the second day of the French President's visit to India. Macron, the youngest French President in the history since Napoleon Bonaparte, had earlier spoken about his "very good chemistry" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Macron's visit serves a two-fold purpose - building a personal rapport with PM Modi, and strengthening the Indo-French defense and security partnership.
Details of the defense pact signed between India and France
Under the agreement, armed forces of both the countries will not only provide reciprocal logistics support, but will also partake in joint exercises, training, and providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The agreement also gives Indian warships access to French naval bases in the Indian Ocean, and will help India expand its footprint in the region from Reunion Island to the Horn of Africa.
The strategic importance of the Indian Ocean
Over 90% of India's trade by volume, and over 68% of its trade by value happens via the Indian Ocean, where China is currently trying to woo littoral states and increase its strategic footprint in the region.
India and France sign pacts on urban development, nuclear power
As far as developmental efforts are concerned, India and France signed pacts on exchange of information for developing urban centres, smart cities, transportation systems etc. An agreement was also signed charting the way forward for the implementation of the Jaitapur nuclear power project. A credit facility agreement was also reached for €100 million for funding smart city projects.
Combating terror financing, drug trafficking is also on the agenda
The two countries also signed an agreement to combat illicit drug trafficking and drug consumption, and to combat terror financing. Foundations were also laid for the creation of an Indo-French Permanent Railway Forum to enhance existing cooperation between the two countries. An agreement to facilitate mutual recognition of education qualifications in the two countries was also signed.
