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France: India’s steady partner in green growth

Contact Counsellor

France: India’s steady partner in green growth

  • In 2023, the President of France and the Prime Minister of India elevated the ‘Partnership for the Planet’ as a crucial pillar of the Indo-French Horizon 2047 Roadmap.

Background:

  • 2023 marked the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership.

Pillars of Indo-French Horizon 2047:

  • Partnership for security and sovereignty
  • Partnership for the planet
  • Partnership for the people
  • Partnership for environmental sustainability

In 2023, four environmental protection projects were signed between India and France. These include:

  • A project in Rajasthan aimed at increasing forest cover, enhancing wildlife conditions, and supporting local livelihoods.
  • An initiative to improve sanitation in small towns of Himachal Pradesh.
  • A project to enhance solid waste management in 18 cities as part of India’s flagship circular economy program, CITIIS.
  • A green credit line with the State Bank of India to fund electric buses and energy-efficient housing.

Major Highlights of India and France Relations:

  • Strategic Partnership: Post-India’s 1998 nuclear tests, France was the first nation to initiate a Strategic Dialogue with India and did not impose bilateral sanctions, understanding India's security compulsions. France was the first Western country with which India signed a strategic partnership.
  • Economic: Bilateral trade between India and France reached $13.4 billion in 2022-23. France is a significant investor in India, with an FDI inflow of $659.77 million in FY 2022-23. For FY 2023-24, Indian exports to France totaled $3.06 billion, while imports from France amounted to $2.36 billion.
  • Defense: Bilateral defense cooperation is reviewed under the Annual Defence Dialogue (Defence Minister level) and the High Committee on Defence Cooperation (Secretary level). The P-75 Scorpene Deal 2005 and the procurement of Rafale jets highlight deep defense ties. Regular joint defense exercises include Garuda (Air forces), Shakti (Armies), and Varuna (Navies).
  • Space: Cooperation in space spans over 50 years between ISRO and the French Space Agency (CNES). France is a major supplier of components and equipment for India's space program.
  • Energy Cooperation: Progress has been made in discussions related to the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project (JNPP) and partnerships on Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMR). The International Solar Alliance was jointly launched by India and France.
  • Education: About 10,000 Indian students are in France, and an agreement on mutual recognition of degrees was signed in 2018. In 2023, it was agreed to increase the number of Indian students in France to 30,000 by 2030.
  • Community in France: Mainland France hosts approximately 119,000 Indian community members, mainly from former French colonies and states such as Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Punjab.
  • Tourism: In 2019, around 250,000 French tourists visited India, with Rajasthan being a popular destination. Meanwhile, approximately 700,000 Indians traveled to France.
  • Support on international fora: France supports India’s claim for permanent membership of the UN Security Council and has been instrumental in India’s accession to the MTCR, Wassenaar Arrangement, and Australia Group. France continues to back India's bid for the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) in the UN.

Prelims Takeaway

  • India France Relations

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