Round The World

New Delhi, 2 February 2024

Macron & Modi

SYMBOLISM & SUBSTANCE

By Prof. (Dr.) D.K. Giri

(Secretary General, Assn for Democratic Socialism) 

French President Emanuel Macron was the Chief Guest on the 75^th Republic Day celebration of India, stepping in for American President Joe Biden, who had declined the invitation. In addition to growing proximity between France and India, Macron was perhaps reciprocating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence at the Bastille Day celebration in Paris, on 14 July last year. Macron’s last-minute response to Modi’s invitation bespeaks French willingness to stand by India in symbolism as well as substance of India-France bilateralism. 

Interestingly, France, although a member of NATO as well as European Union, has been taking, at times, a strategic posture, independent of the United States. That is why it aligns with India’s ‘strategic autonomy’ in her foreign policy. New Delhi may not have common ground with USA and Russia, but it is on the same page with France. Modi-Macron interactions resulted in a joint statement that carries the convergence of perspectives like – condemnation of terror attack in Israel, the need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and Ukraine, nuanced differences on the war in Ukraine, concerns over the attack in Red Sea, attitude towards Houthis and Hezbollah’s etc. 

What is of major interest is the reiteration of French support to the newly-planned India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) during the G-20 Summit last September. Macron, once again, applauded the leadership of Modi, on successful conduct and conclusion of the Summit. Both leaders agreed that project IMEC would be of great strategic importance and would significantly enhance the potential and resilience of the flow of commerce and energy between India, the Middle East and Europe. To many observers, it is obvious that the proposed IMEC is an alternative to the Belt and Road Project of China. 

In the current volatile international political situation, France and India have decided to stand by each other. This is quite an encouraging development for both Paris and New Delhi as there is grave tension from Morocco to Iran, in South-East Asia due to Chinese hegemony. In South Asia, Beijing plans to encircle India by seducing her neighbours. China is ‘gobbling up’ Maldives inch-by-inch, having gripped Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Sri Lanka is resisting but as India is jittery, Colombo might also fall for China. For India to resist Chinese expansionism, it needs strong partners and France is proving to be one. Apparently, the French President instructed his officials in multiple sectors to allow India ‘no limit’ in accessing its technologies and know-how. 

Scanning the agreements arrived at during Macron’s visit, there were number of deals done. In principle, France decided to support India in developing top-of-the-line defence platforms such as fighter aircraft engines, nuclear attack submarines, underwater drones, all of which are to be locally made. The idea is to make India self-reliant with a robust industrial base. A Letter of Intent on defence partnership was signed between Union Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Armed Forces of France. Another unprecedented defence agreement for Space, which has not been reported widely, was signed between the two countries. 

From the available information, as President Macron was at the ‘At home’ reception in Rashtrapati Bhawan, this important deal was signed by the French Defence Minister Sebastian Locornu and India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on 26 January. This agreement will facilitate protection of communication and surveillance satellites and will make the battlefield more transparent in air, land and sea. This agreement will also help develop and launch military satellites to protect the national security of both countries. Moreover, this will not only protect the space assets of India but track the movement of adversaries. Similarly, another important agreement was signed for South-West Indian Ocean. This will build on joint surveillance missions carried out from the French Island territory of La Reunion. 

More important for New Delhi, it was decided to jointly manufacture in India and to export the products to third countries. As an example of collaboration in third countries, it was decided to set up a solar academy in Senegal under the star-C programme of international programme of International Solar Alliance, which was primarily jointly created by India and France. Overall, in industrial defence cooperation, both countries would co-design, co-develop and co-produce defence hardware for the air, land and the sea. 

A Memorandum of Agreement between Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and Airbus was signed to set up an assembly of civilian helicopters in India. A Declaration of Intent was signed between Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Labour and Solidarity of France for cooperation in the field of health and medicine. There was a renewal of agreement between the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion of France on the cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development. 

For Indian students, good news is in store. President Macron declared that he would like to have 30,000 Indian students by 2030. He said, “When this target is met, I will be the happiest President”. There would be special Classes Internationales for Indian students to learn French, necessary for admission into various colleges and universities. Macron said that this was a new initiative called French for All, French for Better Future. France will continue to offer scholarships to meritorious Indian students to be able to study there. So far, India is the largest beneficiary of French scholarships. Furthermore, France will offer five-year short stay Schengen Visa for alumni of French educational institutions. 

Modi spread a red carpet for Macron by receiving him personally in Jaipur and asking his Foreign Minister to accompany Macron from his arrival to departure. Macron landed in Jaipur and was taken to Jantar Mantar, a world heritage site since 2010. Modi and Macron had tea at a Jaipur teal stall on 25 January, where Macron paid for it by using the UPI. Both had a road show from Jantar Mantar to Sanganeri state with a stopover at Hawa Mahal. Macron was impressed by the huge turnout of people to greet them as well as the pro-incumbency of Modi government weeks before the elections. 

Overall, Macron’s visit was a success from the Indian point of view as well as for Macron who is trying to re-establish his political popularity after a shaky start to his second term. The reception and the publicity he got from India may stand in good stead for him back home. However, a closure look at the two-day visit of the French President shows a lot of symbolism as well as some substance. Interestingly, quite a few observers argue that any warmth and goodwill coming India’s way is a function of the defence deals that India makes with those countries. France is India’s second largest arm supplier and of course, has been the closest partner in Europe. 

While there may be multiple interpretations of India-French relations including the latest visit by French President, which, in fact, is the third one by Macron, France is a solid partner of India. At the end of the day that is what should count for New Delhi in its undeclared rivalry with Beijing. ---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)