PM’s France visit: Beginning of a new era
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Are we heading for a new era in Indo-French relations? This article analyses Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh’s visit to France through a wider prism. “The invitation extended to me to participate as the Chief Guest at the National Day celebrations of the Republic of France on July 14, 2009 is an honour for the people of India,” said the PM. And French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s presence as the Chief Guest at the Republic Day commemorations reflects the shared commitment of both India and France to provide fresh impetus to their strategic partnership.

Strategic analysts underline that both India and France are great democracies. Both have faced the odds of the changing times in international politics and share secularism, rule of law, tolerance and believe in multilateralism. They also believe in the financial system as the means to address the tricky issues of global socio-economic politics. Common interests are the core values between them.

Reiterating the significance of the relationship between the two countries, Singh said, “India and France enjoy a wide-ranging strategic partnership. Our relations with France encompass a large number of areas and have served our national interests well. We would like to build upon our partnership in the areas of trade and investment, high technology, space, nuclear energy, defence, education, culture, tourism and scientific research and governance,” he further added.

Ministry sources confirm that the “Pakistan issue” will find prominent place during the visit. India firmly underscores, that international aid for economic development towards terrorism will be one of the key issues that will be on table when Singh meets Sarkozy in Paris today.

From France, Singh will make it to Egypt to participate in the 15th Summit of the NAM (Non-aligned Movement), which will be held under the chairmanship of Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak.

Nuclear co-operation

Extending enhanced co-operation, between India and France, both Singh and Sarkozy have broader issues to give a new impetus to their co-operation for the development of peaceful nuclear energy as a meaningful expression of strategic partnership. Both countries stress that a sustained and reliable energy is needed to address the requirements for the domestic consumptions bilaterally. Being responsible states with advanced nuclear technologies, India and France are committed to promoting nuclear energy and nuclear fuel cycle.

Both countries equally share concerns and objectives in the field of terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. Strengthening their on-going decade-old cooperation in the fields of fundamental and applied research and nuclear safety, it was agreed to broaden and boost this partnership. Further, both sides, look forward to the finalisation of India-specific safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the adjustment of international civil nuclear co-operation framework in a form suitable to both France and India.

Bilateral Relations

The visit of the Indian Prime Minister to France is in line with the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries. It was mutually agreed to intensify the exchange of high-level visits in various areas of interaction. Both countries will consolidate their relationship in the field of defence by undertaking more military joint operations and co-operations. More stress on research, transfer of technology can be expected

More so, space co-operation is in the agenda. Even during the India visit of Sarkozy, space co-operation agreement was reached. Besides, India and France will lay stress on trade and the pace of their business relations. India and France desire to work in achieving an ambitious target of reaching a 12-billion Euro bilateral trade by 2012 and significantly stepping up investments, wherever is possible. Definitely, Singh will underline a host of important issues concerning to both the countries.

People-to-people Contacts

India and France are not only co-operating in various fields, but also maintaining people-to-people contacts. It is more in the fields of culture, tourism, education and other important areas. Establishing an Indian Cultural Centre in Paris is in the offing. There is also talk of fostering students exchange programme. To strengthen cooperation on people-to-people contacts, both India and France are poised to reciprocate to open consulates in each other’s territory and in this context, France has already opened two new Consulates in India ---- in Bangalore and Kolkata last year.


India and European Union

India and France reiterated their commitments to strengthen strategic partnership between India and the European Union. The current visit of Singh is also significant due to the fact that France is one of the important members of the European Union. Under the aegis of France, efforts will be made to enhance ties through the mechanism of the combined India-European Union plan.

France, being a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and India aspiring for that, Singh’s France trip augurs well. The visit of the Head of State is not merely limited to the meetings of two personalities, even though personal relations help. Reciprocally, France has a clear role to play in India, but will Paris be bold enough to seize the moment?