In a momentous convergence of global powers, the strategic alliance between Bharat and France is poised to rise to unprecedented heights. French President Emmanuel Macron will attend Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26, gracing the occasion as the chief guest. Not only will the grandeur of the Republic Day parade be further enhanced by the participation of a French marching contingent, but the two nations are also expected to negotiate deals for buying fighter jets and submarines and both countries would also be cooperating on the development of small modular nuclear reactors.
President Macron will kick start his Bharat visit today after landing in Jaipur, where he is anticipated to visit the 16th-century Amer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the iconic Hawa Mahal, alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On January 26, alongside the Bharatiya contingent, a French marching contingent would also be present. Six Bhartiyas and six Nepalis would be a part of the French Foreign Legion contingent marching on the Kartavya Path in New Delhi. The contingent would be accompanied by a 33-member French military band. Captain Noel Louis, Unit Commander of the Second Foreign Infantry Regiment, stated that it was an honor for them to be a part of the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.
France was extended the invitation after Washington confirmed that United States President Joe Biden would not be able to visit Bharat in January due to his unavailability. What must be noted here is France accepted the invitation at such short notice reflecting that the relationship which the countries share is beyond diplomacy, and is deeply strengthened. President Macron accepted the invite within hours of receiving it, illustrating the significant friendship the two nations hold.
According to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, Macron would also be joining PM Modi’s roadshow, before holding bilateral talks at Taj Rambagh Palace. The talks would be focused on matters pertaining to cooperation in a range of areas including the digital domain, defense, trade, clean energy, youth exchanges, and easing of visa norms.
France and Bharat established diplomatic ties in June 1948, while it was elevated to strategic relations in 1998. This strategic partnership with Bharat was France’s first outside the European Union and has helped in the comprehensive growth of both nations. Of the entire Europe, France is Bharat’s second-largest arms supplier and New Delhi’s oldest and closest partners in Europe for decades. Significantly, it was the only Western nation that did not impose sanctions on Bharat after it conducted nuclear tests in 1998.
When PM Narendra Modi visited France ahead of the Bastille Day celebrations in July last year, initial approval was given to buy 26 Rafale jets for the navy’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. Agreements were also made to jointly produce three Scorpene class submarines worth Rs. 800 billion. However, the deals are yet to be finalized and Macron’s visit, starting today seems like a good opportunity for the same. Bharat has relied on France’s fighter jets for over four decades now. Besides their extensive cooperation in the defense sector, Bharat and France are also keen on enhancing cooperation in the space and nuclear sectors.
Furthermore, France has extensively supported Bharat’s demands of providing permanent membership of the UNSC to other nations and reforms in the UN. While Bharat played a key role in France’s membership in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Both Bharat and France have consistently and outrightly have also condemned terrorism. In fact, after the Pulwama attack in Bharat in February 2019, France backed New Delhi by listing Pakistan-based terrorist Hafiz Saeed as a global terrorist.
The imminent visit of French President Macron to Bharat indicates a promising chapter of elevated diplomatic relations. Anticipated with great enthusiasm, the arrival of President Macron also promises to pave a path to another splendid year of strengthened ties and shared strategic endeavors between the two nations.
Comments