• Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had an excellent meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, their fourth meeting in one year, and discussed ways to further strengthen the ‘Strategic Partnership’  in areas like defence, nuclear and space.

• The two leaders met on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy.

What is the importance of having a ‘Strategic Partnership’?

• The concept of ‘Strategic Partnership’ in international relations is relatively new and less formal than alliances.

• These partnerships involve cooperation between states with shared objectives.

• While security issues are central, strategic partnerships also cover areas like trade, economy, and technology.

• The broad scope of interaction makes Strategic Partnerships highly desirable in contemporary global politics.

• India has established more than 30 Strategic Partnerships, including with the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, France, China, and the European Union.

Major areas of cooperation between India and France

• India and France have shared close and friendly relations since establishing diplomatic ties in 1948, celebrating 75 years of relations.

• In 1998, the diplomatic relationship between India and France was elevated to a Strategic Partnership, marking 25 years in January 2023.

• This Strategic Partnership was France’s first outside the EU and has significantly contributed to the comprehensive growth of India-France relations.

• France was among the few countries that supported India’s decision to conduct nuclear tests in 1998.

• Defence Cooperation: France has become a crucial defence partner for India, ranking as the second largest defence supplier from 2017 to 2021.

Joint military exercises include:

i) Exercise Shakti (Army)

ii) Exercise Varuna (Navy)

iii) Exercise Garuda (Air Force)

• Economic Cooperation: Bilateral trade reached $13.4 billion in 2022-23, with Indian exports exceeding $7 billion.

• France is the 11th largest foreign investor in India, with a cumulative investment of $10.49 billion from April 2000 to December 2022.

Cooperation at International Forums:

• France supports India’s bid for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council.

• France also backs India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

Climate Cooperation:

• Both countries are committed to addressing climate change.

• India supported France in the Paris Agreement, showing a strong commitment to mitigating climate effects.

• In 2015, India and France jointly launched the International Solar Alliance as part of their climate change efforts.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims:

Q. Consider the following statements: (2016)

1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.

2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only 

(b) 2 only 

(c) Both 1 and 2 

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a).

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)