External affairs minister discusses key regional, global issues with French counterpart

Contact Counsellor

Last Updated22/02/2022

Key regional and global issues particularly the India-E.U. relationship, situation in Afghanistan, Iranian nuclear deal and the Ukraine crisis were discussed between Indian External minister and his French counterpart
Both have reiterated their shared commitment to the principles of multilateralism and a rules-based order, and agreed to coordinate in the Security Council on issues of mutual concern.

India will participate in the E.U. Ministerial Forum on Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific which is an initiative by France
In the context of the Ministerial Forum, the two Ministers agreed to jointly launch the Indo-French call for an “Indo-Pacific Parks Partnership” during the E.U. Forum.
Both countries have agreed to intensify India-E.U. ties under the French Presidency, and the need to begin negotiations on the Free Trade and Investment Agreements and implement the India-E.U. Connectivity Partnership.
Both sides also adopted the ""India-France Roadmap on the Blue Economy and Ocean Governance”
They have also agreed to continue and enhance their cooperation in and agreed to soon conclude a Joint Declaration of Intent in the Area of Sports
It is aimed at further facilitating people-to-people contact

It is aimed at enhancing partnership in the field of blue economy by way of institutional, economic, infrastructural and scientific cooperation

It is aimed at building capacities in the Indo-Pacific region, in terms of sustainable management of protected areas
It will be done by gathering and sharing the experiences and expertise that exist in the region among key Indo-Pacific public & private natural park managers

Sectors of commercial cooperation between both countries are IT corridors,smart-cities, railways, capital and trade exchanges ,skill development etc.
France is the 7th largest foreign investor in India with a cumulative FDI stock of USD 9 billion from April 2000 to December 2020, - 2 % of total FDI inflows.
More than 150 Indian companies are operating in France (including sub-subsidiaries), employing more than 7,000 persons

Civil nuclear cooperation agreement was signed in 2008 between both countries
Industrial Way Forward Agreement was signed in 2018 for the construction of six nuclear reactors at Jaitapur.
Nuclear Reactor construction: French multinational energy company EDF has submitted its offer to provide assistance in the construction of 6 nuclear reactors in the Indian province of Maharashtra.

Exercise Shakti is the defence exercise b/w armies of both nations ;
Exercise Varuna is the defence exercises b/w Navies of both nations
Exercise Garuda defence exercises b/w Air Forces of both nations;
La Pérouse exercise: Indian Navy participated in French led exercise with Quad members in 2021.
Mutual logistic support Agreement: to receive logistical support, supplies and services from each other during authorised port visits, joint exercises, etc.
Purchase of Rafale aircraft: Intergovernmental agreement for purchase of 36 Rafale fighter aircrafts (30 fighter aircrafts and 6 trainers) by India in flyaway condition was signed in New Delhi on 23 September 2016.
P-751 submarine project: it envisages construction of 24 submarines indigenously along with public and private industries of appropriate designs in two phases.
Make in India: cooperation in the defence industry field and extension of support to existing and upcoming partnerships b/w the defence companies of the two countries inline with “Make in India”

France helped India to set up the Sriharikota launch site, liquid engine development and hosting of payloads.
Joint research by ISRO and CNES : areas under research are Earth observation, Maritime domain awareness, Global navigation satellite system, exploration of solar system, space transportation system and human spaceflight.
Collaboration Projects: TRISHNA (for ecosystem stress and water use monitoring) and accommodation of French instruments on India’s OCEANSAT-3 satellite.
GSAT-11 was launched from Kourou (French Guiana) in December 2018; GSAT-30 was launched on 16 January 2020
Joint Vision for Space Cooperation: it was issued in 2018
Its aim is to bring societal benefits of space technology

Vivekananda Cultural Centre: Indian Cultural Centre opened in Paris.
Namaste France: held in 2016 across France displaying various facets of Indian art and culture.
Scholarships in Sanskrit: GoI has also offered five scholarships for study of Sanskrit in India to French nationals.

Lack of FTA: negotiation talks are still under negotiation which hinders the relations between both countries
Economic slowdown in France is also impeding the economic relations
BRI: France’s commitment to Belt & Road Initiative is in stark contrast to India’s stand as well; hence there is strategic differences b/w the two nations
Weak Business relations: Bilateral trade is less than half of India’s trade with Germany.
The target of €12 billion set in 2008 remains elusive.

ISRO is the cheapest space agency for satellite launches globally and french academia and industry can avail these services
Allied Navigation System: France can push EU to confer “allied navigation system” to NAVIC and extend interoperability with EU’s Galileo system
Trade: Both countries should conclude an FTA to enhance the economic relations
France can be India’s gateway to Europe and India France’s first strategic partner in Asia by leveraging the potential of convergences