Indo-French Relations are important for three main reasons: strategic, economic, and cultural dimensions. The India-France partnership is amongst our most important strategic relationships in Europe based on mutual trust, shared democratic values, and a common commitment to multipolarity. This relationship has been developed over decades in diverse fields including defense, nuclear energy, and space as well as trade & investment.

Strategic Partnership: It was 1998, and this paved the way for extensive defense cooperation. France is a global supplier of advanced military technology to India as well, including the Rafale fighter jets. Combined military exercises and defense agreements also allow both nations to benefit from heightened operational capability.

Economic Ties: The bond between India and France in terms of trade has developed significantly, they have invested heavily in each other. France is one of the major investors in India with investments being mainly in automobiles, luxury products, and infrastructure. Joint investments in renewable energy and technology further reinforce the economic connection.

Cultural and Educational Exchanges– Cultural exchanges, for instance, the Namaste France and Bonjour India festivals encourage mutual comprehension of each other’s lineage. These serve to strengthen the links between India and Australia in educational collaborations, such as scholarships and student exchange programs.

Actions to improve collaboration

Enhancing Defense CooperationFunding and carrying out mixed military drills as well as defense tech collaborations can contribute to the overall security of both nations Winning joint production in defense manufacturing, for instance, the manufacture of next-generation military hardware – common projects can also help solidify alliances.

Advance Centres of Economic Engagement: By driving up bilateral trade and investment via well-directed policy measures and incentives, targeted economic relations can be bolstered. Beyond this, the research arm suggested that joint ventures in burgeoning industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security, and green technologies can also create areas for collaboration.

Augmenting Educational and Cultural Exchanges– Strengthen Scholarship programs that facilitate Student Exchange for enhanced scholarly exchanges. This can be done by organizing cultural festivals, through arts and heritage conservation collaborations to increase mutual understanding.

Cooperation on Global Issues – Common threats ranging from climate change to terrorism and cyber aggression represent areas where collective action can establish the partnership. By acting together in international forums, they also can magnify their influence on global policies.

Institutional Mechanism: The development and reinforcement of institutional mechanisms, including joint committees or task forces for particular sectors as may be appropriate will assist the agencies to work together continuously.

India’s current foreign policy towards China is a combination of collaboration and cutthroat competition with strategic hedging from it. Ties between the two countries have been strained, especially after a border standoff in 2020. While such initiatives have aimed to thaw ties, disagreements over substantial issues like territorial disputes—China is sending out some heavy artillery in South Asia as well —and India’s strategic partnerships with the US ensure that problems will endure.

India has adopted a composite strategy that combines diplomacy and force in dealing with China. On the other, multilateral forums like the SCO and BRICS where it is involved with China on several issues. On the other side, India has bolstered its border defenses and stepped up strategic alignments with China wary like USA and Japan.

The Russia-Ukraine war has brought a new dimension and problem to India’s foreign policy. India, however, has struck a cautious note by refraining from naming Russia and instead called for dialogue & respect of sovereignty besides maintaining strategic neutrality. This policy shift has its roots in India’s traditional closeness to Russia, notably in defence and energy. Of course, India could not afford to go out against Western powers particularly the United States which has left a great influence on their neutrality.

India is of course more broadly influenced by its strategic calculus concerning China as well, within the dynamics of the Russia-Ukraine war. India aims to maintain a stable relationship with China – not only is it engaged in the Quad that seeks to balance an overbearing Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region, but India also concedes that escalation will be detrimental.

The pragmatic nature of India’s foreign policy is evident in the manner it navigates through the complexity inherent in part due to its security interests and strategic interests. Its stance on the (Russia-Ukraine war and Chinese ties are guided by its strategy to preserve autonomy in a multipolar world.