- France’s support for India, despite international pressure, was a significant gesture of trust and alignment, signaling the beginning of a robust defense partnership.
- Both nations stress adherence to international law and the stability of maritime trade amid rising regional tensions, particularly China’s assertiveness.
- India and France are promoting AI regulation and space exploration through strategic cooperation, prioritizing the ethical development of AI, data protection, and cybersecurity.
- Although India and France enjoy a robust strategic relationship, their bilateral relations are confronted with pragmatic challenges that need to be navigated sensitively.
India-France Strategic Partnership
India and France share a longstanding relationship rooted in history, culture, and technology. Built on mutual trust and strategic interests, their partnership has expanded beyond traditional areas to include climate change, defense, energy transition, space, the blue economy, multilateralism, and counterterrorism. During Modi’s visit to Paris for Bastille Day in July 2023, he and Emmanuel Macron launched Horizon 2047, an ambitious framework to deepen cooperation in defense, nuclear energy, and innovation.
India-France and the Idea of Vasudaiva Kutumbakam in the Present World Order
The ancient Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, “the world is one family,” represents the concept of world unity, cooperation, and collective prosperity. At a time when geopolitical equations are changing, this principle finds real-world application in India’s foreign policy, specifically in its alignment with France.
Defence Cooperation
The defining feature of the India-France relationship lies in deep and evolving defense cooperation. France, India’s second-largest arms supplier, accounts for 29 percent of its defense imports, surpassing the United States at 11 percent, despite growing Indo-US defense ties. In 1998, after India’s nuclear tests, several nations, including the United States, imposed sanctions on India. France, however, opposed them and offered diplomatic support to India, a pivotal moment in strengthening their defense partnership.
France’s support for India, despite international pressure, was a significant gesture of trust and alignment, signaling the beginning of a robust defense partnership. India has long used French military equipment, with ties reviewed annually through the Defence Dialogue (at the Defence Minister level) and the High Committee on Defence Cooperation (at the Secretary level). Both countries also have a joint working group on counter-terrorism, with France helping India in listing Pakistan-based terrorists such as Masood Azhar and Abdul Rehman Makki at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
In view of their growing partnership, India and France have declared 2026 as the India-France Innovation Year, reiterating their commitment to fostering collaboration in advanced technology and defense innovation, including joint research and production of next-generation fighter aircraft. Key defense projects include Rafale aircraft procurement and the P-75 Scorpene Project. Talks are underway for 26 Rafale-M jets for India’s Navy and three more Scorpene-class submarines.
The Indian Navy, which traditionally relied on Russian-made fighter jets, is poised to enhance its capabilities with the Rafale M. These advanced aircraft are likely to operate from INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, significantly boosting operational reach and combat prowess. Their integration provides a versatile air combat platform for diverse missions, strengthening maritime security. With advanced avionics and electronic warfare systems, the Rafale M enhances naval power projection while complementing the Air Force variant and reducing operational costs.
Indo-Pacific and China
India-France security ties go beyond arms procurement, covering strategic areas, especially in the Indo-Pacific. Both nations stress adherence to international law and the stability of maritime trade amid rising regional tensions, particularly China’s assertiveness. Given the regional security landscape, France is India’s most trusted partner in Asia amid China’s growing influence.
The Indian and Pacific Oceans are vital to France due to their role in global trade. For France, the Indo-Pacific is not just a geopolitical concept but a key economic priority. Its strategic presence is strengthened by overseas territories, giving it a direct stake in regional security and stability.
A key aspect of France’s interests in the Pacific is its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), of which approximately 93 percent lies in the Pacific Ocean, granting France significant maritime jurisdiction. The region hosts 1.5 million French citizens and over 8,000 French military personnel, underscoring France’s commitment to maintaining a robust security presence.
Multilateralism, the United Nations, and UNSC Reform
India and France champion multilateralism and are committed to a rules-based international order based on international law, sovereignty, and cooperation. Both advocate a reformed global system of governance in accordance with today’s realities, with France strongly backing India’s bid for a permanent UNSC seat. They jointly push for UNSC expansion, ensuring fair representation for rising African and Asian powers. France also supports India’s G4 initiative (India, Brazil, Germany, Japan) for UNSC enlargement. Both nations play key roles in UN peacekeeping and enhancing security in conflict zones, particularly in Africa.
Climate, Sustainable Development and Ocean Conservation
India and France lead global climate action through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Paris Agreement, promoting renewable energy, conservation of biodiversity, and sustainable urbanization, especially for developing countries. Collaborative ventures in solar energy growth, blue economy, and climate resilience improve energy security and environmental sustainability. France endorses India’s 500 GW of renewables target and green hydrogen. Through championing climate finance and equitable energy transitions, they enable the Global South, upholding the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—sustainable well-being for everyone.
India and France cooperate in ocean conservation, emphasising sustainable ocean management, biodiversity conservation, and the blue economy. Through efforts such as the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, they aim to conserve 30% of global oceans by 2030. Cooperative action to combat marine pollution, encourage sustainable fisheries, and develop deep-sea exploration enhances global environmental responsibility. France backs India’s leadership in coastal ecosystem restoration and maritime security, balancing economic development and ecological conservation. Their cooperation boosts regional stability and oceanic sustainability for both countries and the world.
Counter Terrorism and Cyber Security
India and France closely cooperate on counterterrorism and cybersecurity, focusing on intelligence sharing, counter-radicalization, and terror financing controls, particularly via the FATF. France strongly supports India’s stance on cross-border terrorism and global action against terror groups. Their cybersecurity collaboration enhances critical infrastructure protection, combats cyber threats, and counters misinformation through cyber defense training, AI threat detection, and multilateral cooperation. They also work on securing digital economies, preventing cybercrime, and safeguarding data privacy. Through bilateral and global frameworks, their partnership strengthens global security, cyber resilience, and counterterrorism efforts, promoting peace and stability.
Space and AI Regulations
India and France are promoting AI regulation and space exploration through strategic cooperation, prioritizing the ethical development of AI, data protection, and cybersecurity. France endorses India’s National AI Strategy, while India cooperates with France’s Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) to develop international AI standards. With India’s AI market projected to reach $17 billion by 2030, the partnership holds significant growth potential.
India’s ISRO and France’s CNES have collaborated on over 50 space missions, including Megha-Tropiques (climate monitoring) and TRISHNA (infrared imaging) for environmental research. France also supports India’s Gaganyaan mission with astronaut training and life support technology. Through AI innovation and space cooperation, both nations drive global sustainability, security, and technological progress, reinforcing their 21st-century strategic partnership.
Challenges in India-France Relations: A Pragmatic Approach
Although India and France enjoy a robust strategic relationship, their bilateral relations are confronted with pragmatic challenges that need to be navigated sensitively. A key concern is trade imbalance—bilateral trade reached $13.4 billion in 2022 but remains lower than India’s trade with Germany or the UK. French investments in manufacturing and digital sectors need expansion to tap into India’s growing market. In defense, while India has acquired Rafale jets and Scorpène submarines, joint production and technology transfer remain limited. India seeks deeper co-development rather than a buyer-seller relationship.
Another challenge is the Indo-Pacific strategy. Both countries aspire for regional stability, but France’s diplomatic outreach to China at times diverges from India’s security interests. Aligning strategies with third parties like the EU and Quad remains a work in progress. Visa curbs and language barriers also hinder people-to-people ties, limiting opportunities for Indian students and professionals. Despite these issues, their commitment to multilateralism, climate action, and security cooperation guarantees that practical solutions will further fortify the India-France relationship.
India-France relations have progressed from their historical engagements to a contemporary strategic partnership built on trust, mutual values, and international cooperation. With robust defense ties, nuclear cooperation, space collaboration, trade, and climate action, the two nations continue to shape a multipolar world that is democratic and respectful of sovereignty. The cooperation embodies a multilateral and rules-based international system, and therefore, the two are natural allies in pursuing peace and development at the global level.
Dr Nanda Kishor M S is the Head and Associate Professor at the Department of Politics and International Studies, Pondicherry University. Dr Akhil Kumar is a PhD from the Department of Political Science, University of Hyderabad. Views expressed are the authors own.
Diksha Bharti 
Dr Nanda Kishor