France–India relations

Bilateral relations between the Republic of India and the French Republic were established in 1947 and both nations have since established close co-operation in defence and commerce.

History

France was one of the major European nations apart from Great Britain to establish colonies in India, establishing the Madras Presidency (covering the modern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu). France ceded much of the Madras Presidency to the British but retained control of Pondicherry and Calicut. France established diplomatic relations with the newly-independent India in 1947. Both nations negotiated the peaceful transfer of Pondicherry and Calicut to India, which was completed by 1954.

In 1998, the then-French President Jacques Chirac made a high-profile visit to India, expressing his desire to build an "ambitious relationship," Chirac saluted India as "a nation which has affirmed its personality on the world stage."cite web|title=India-France relations set to move into high gear|url=http://finance.indiainfo.com/2008/09/27/0809271017_india-france_relations_set_to_move_into_high_gear.html|publisher=Indiainfo.com|date=2008-09-27|accessdate=2008-10-08] In January 2008, French President Nicolas Sarkozy visited India and was the chief guest at India's Republic Day parade.cite web|title=Sarkozy witnesses Indian military mightgear|url=http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/news/france/20080126-france-india-military-parade-nuclear-agreement-sarkozy.php|publisher=France24|date=2008-01-26|accessdate=2008-10-08] Sarkozy expressed a desire to be able to visit India each year.cite web|title=India-France relations set to move into high gear|url=http://finance.indiainfo.com/2008/09/27/0809271017_india-france_relations_set_to_move_into_high_gear.html|publisher=Indiainfo.com|date=2008-09-27|accessdate=2008-10-08] In September 2008, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made a major visit to France that led to the establishment of Indo-French trade in nuclear technology.cite web|title=India-France relations set to move into high gear|url=http://finance.indiainfo.com/2008/09/27/0809271017_india-france_relations_set_to_move_into_high_gear.html|publisher=Indiainfo.com|date=2008-09-27|accessdate=2008-10-08] cite web|title=India and France in nuclear deal|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7644377.stm|publisher=BBC News|date=2008-09-30|accessdate=2008-10-08]

Development of bilateral relations

Both nations have aimed to increase bilateral trade from 6.5 billion euros to 12 billion euros by 2012; in 2007, trade expanded by 26%.cite web|title=India-France relations set to move into high gear|url=http://finance.indiainfo.com/2008/09/27/0809271017_india-france_relations_set_to_move_into_high_gear.html|publisher=Indiainfo.com|date=2008-09-27|accessdate=2008-10-08] France and India established a Consortrium of Indo-French Universities to increase educational cooperation - approximately 1,300 Indian students study in France.cite web|title=India-France relations set to move into high gear|url=http://finance.indiainfo.com/2008/09/27/0809271017_india-france_relations_set_to_move_into_high_gear.html|publisher=Indiainfo.com|date=2008-09-27|accessdate=2008-10-08] India and France have also signed agreements on social security for Indians living in France and joint cooperation on space research and technology.cite web|title=India, France ink landmark nuclear deal|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/sep/30ndeal3.htm|publisher=Rediff.com|date=2008-09-30|accessdate=2008-10-08]

trategic cooperation

France and India have extensive strategic co-operation, with the military services of both nations conducting joint exercises. India has purchased much military equipment from France, especially the French Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft and the Scorpène class submarines.cite web|title=India, France Discuss Submarine, Mirage Deals|url=http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=25687&d=29&m=4&y=2003|publisher=Arab News|date=2003-04-29|accessdate=2008-10-08] France was one of the few nations who did not condemn India's nuclear tests in 1998 and has supported India's bid to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council as well as G-8.cite web|title=France backs India's inclusion in G-8|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/sep/24unsc.htm?zcc=rl|publisher=Rediff.com|date=2008-09-24|accessdate=2008-10-08] cite web|title=India-France relations set to move into high gear|url=http://finance.indiainfo.com/2008/09/27/0809271017_india-france_relations_set_to_move_into_high_gear.html|publisher=Indiainfo.com|date=2008-09-27|accessdate=2008-10-08] France is one of the largest suppliers of nuclear fuel to India, and signed a "Framework Agreement for Civil Nuclear Co-operation" in January 2008 during French President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit to India.cite web|title=India and France in nuclear deal|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7644377.stm|publisher=BBC News|date=2008-09-30|accessdate=2008-10-08] < During the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to France after India's waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), both nations signed an agreement that would pave the way for the sale of French-made nuclear reactors to India on September 30, 2008.cite web|title=India and France in nuclear deal|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7644377.stm|publisher=BBC News|date=2008-09-30|accessdate=2008-10-08] cite web|title=India, France ink landmark nuclear deal|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/sep/30ndeal3.htm|publisher=Rediff.com|date=2008-09-30|accessdate=2008-10-08] France and India also maintain a discreet "strategic dialogue" that covers joint cooperation against terrorism. However, India has objected to France's military assistance to Pakistan, with whom it is in conflict.

References