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With PM Modi set to visit France for a two-day trip in 2025, the ties between the two nations are poised to strengthen further
The friendship between French President Emmanuel Macron and PM Modi has lifted India-France relations to new heights, exemplified by Modi’s role as the chief guest at France’s Bastille Day celebrations. (PTI)
France, often regarded as India’s ‘Lakshman’ — the brother of Lord Ram in Hindu mythology — has established itself as the country’s most trusted partner in Europe. The evolution of this relationship, from colonisers to friends and now strategic partners, reflects a deepening bond nurtured over decades.
During India’s struggle for freedom, France played a significant role. Many Indian freedom fighters sought refuge in French colonies, evading arrest by British authorities. This connection lay the groundwork for a relationship that would flourish in the decades to follow.
Since 1960, India has been a key defence buyer from France, acquiring advanced military technology like the Mirage fighters and — more recently — the Rafale jets. A pivotal moment came in 1982 when the United States refused to supply nuclear fuel to India’s Tarapur Nuclear Power Plant. France stepped in decisively, supplying the fuel and reinforcing its commitment to India’s energy needs.
Former French President Jacques Chirac was instrumental in strengthening Indo-French relations. He visited India in 1998 and notably refrained from imposing sanctions on India following its nuclear tests, a gesture that solidified India’s trust in France as a reliable ally.
Today, France is India’s most important partner in Europe, with key components of this relationship encompassing defence cooperation, nuclear collaboration, and political support. The two nations also share a prominent partnership in the maritime domain, particularly in the Indo-Pacific theatre. France considers itself an Indo-Pacific resident power, sharing borders with five independent states in the Indian Ocean and 12 in the Pacific Ocean. Additionally, France administers overseas territories, such as Réunion Island, Mayotte, and the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, maintaining a significant military presence in the region.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to visit France for a two-day trip in 2025, the ties between the two nations are poised to strengthen further. PM Modi’s visit will coincide with the co-chairing of the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris alongside President Emmanuel Macron. The friendship between Macron and Modi has lifted India-France relations to new heights, exemplified by Modi’s role as the chief guest at France’s Bastille Day celebrations.
Macron is set to host a banquet in honour of PM Modi, where both leaders will co-chair the AI Action Summit. The summit comes amidst growing concerns regarding how to regulate Artificial Intelligence without stifling the vital AI ecosystem. PM Modi’s participation is particularly significant, given India’s recent announcement of its AI Native Generative Model and China’s disruptive entry into the global market with the launch of Deepseek.
Furthermore, during his visit, PM Modi will inaugurate the new Indian consulate in Marseille. As a bustling port city, Marseille serves as a hub for Indo-French trade and commerce. The establishment of this new consulate aims to provide more accessible and efficient support to the vibrant and growing Indian community, fulfilling a long-standing demand of Indian expatriates.
It is anticipated that both countries will announce significant defence collaborations during the visit.
Among these are two substantial defence deals worth a total of $10 billion. The first involves the acquisition of three Scorpene-class conventional submarines, while the second pertains to the procurement of Rafale M jets for India’s aircraft carriers. Specifically, 26 Rafale M jets are expected to fill operational gaps until indigenous aircraft are ready. The Indian Navy currently operates two aircraft carriers: the INS Vikramaditya and the INS Vikrant. Rafale Ms are for these two aircraft carriers.
The 26 Rafale M marine fighter jets, valued at approximately Rs 50,000 crore, will enhance the Navy’s capabilities. Dassault Aviation completed the delivery of Rafale jets to India in December 2023, including necessary spare parts and maintenance support.
The single-seat Rafale M version has similarities to the existing variants, though it is purposefully designed for naval operations, making it slightly heavier than the Air Force version due to its modifications, including advanced radars suited for maritime operations.
During PM Modi’s visit, the announcement of three additional Scorpene-class submarines for the Indian Navy could take place. The Indian Navy has been negotiating a deal with Mazagon Dockyards, which will partner with the French Naval Group to construct these submarines. India is focused on developing a robust submarine fleet, with a target of 21 new conventional submarines and approximately six nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs). Notably, these submarines will be integrated with indigenised systems and are projected to be 60 per cent ‘Made in India’.
Additionally, the joint statement from the visit could mention nuclear cooperation between India and France. The two countries have a long-standing collaboration in the nuclear space and have agreed to jointly work on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs). This partnership is supported by the civil nuclear agreement signed in 2008, which facilitates cooperation on the Jules Horowitz Research Reactor.
In line with this, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the Union Budget that a Nuclear Energy Mission for the research and development of SMRs will be established with an outlay of Rs 20,000 crore. The goal is to operationalise five indigenously developed SMRs by 2023. Given this context, one can anticipate increasing interest from French companies in India’s Nuclear Energy Mission.
