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During his visit to France this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India and France could be a force for “global transformation”. This statement carried significant geopolitical context for both him and his host, French President Emmanuel Macron. The visit took place just before Mr. Modi’s scheduled trip to Washington, where the Trump administration’s unpredictability has reshaped global dynamics. This was Mr. Modi’s sixth visit to France as Prime Minister, while Mr. Macron has travelled to India three times, fostering their visible rapport. In Paris, they co-chaired the AI Action Summit, before travelling to Marseille. There, they inaugurated a new Indian consulate, visited a multilateral thermonuclear reactor project, and toured a shipping company. Their discussions focused on strengthening the defence partnership, reviewing deals on missiles, helicopter and jet engines. India also offered Indian-made rocket launchers. Days after the Modi government announced amendments to India’s nuclear liability laws, both countries agreed to develop small modular reactors and advance the long-stalled civil nuclear deal. The leaders discussed global conflicts, including those in Ukraine and Gaza. They also reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, an initiative in which both countries play a key role that is contingent on West Asian stability. Mr. Macron referred to India and France as two great powers that are closely aligned, emphasising that while they seek stronger engagement with the U.S. and China, neither wishes to be dependent on any one power.
Beyond bilateral ties, Mr. Modi’s visit had broader strategic implications. The leaders addressed global challenges such as climate change, trade disruptions, and the evolving risks posed by AI. However, a key issue both sides remained discreet about was on how to navigate relations with Washington. While both leaders seek to maintain positive ties with Mr. Trump, they are wary of his unpredictable policies, including his approach to tariffs, economic measures, and his unilateral stance on global conflicts. Mr. Macron, in an interview after Mr. Modi’s departure, did not hold back in criticising U.S. policy on Gaza, asserting that what is needed there is a humanitarian operation, not a “real-estate operation”. Mr. Trump’s independent dealings with Russia and China, often made without consulting key allies in Europe or the Indo-Pacific, and his disregard for the multilateral order, could become a longer-term subject of discussion between Mr. Modi and Mr. Macron. In the months ahead, India and France will likely find greater alignment in their shared understanding of global challenges and their pursuit of collaborative solutions.
Published – February 14, 2025 12:20 am IST
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Shared understanding: on India-France ties
