- Defence: Continuation of cooperation on fighter jets and submarines, following the timely delivery of the 36 Rafale jets for the IAF and the success of the P75 program (six Scorpene submarines).
- Space: Enhancement of scientific and commercial partnership through agreements between France's CNES and India's ISRO.
- This includes the joint Earth observation satellite TRISHNA, maritime surveillance satellites in the Indian Ocean, and the protection of Indo-French satellites in orbit.
- Discussion on finalizing an Indo-French development fund for third countries, enabling joint financing of sustainable development projects in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Announcement of an agreement between Atos and the Ministry of Earth Sciences of India for the supply of supercomputers.
- Plastic Pollution: Commitment by France and India to adopt an international treaty to put an end to plastic pollution throughout the entire life cycle of plastic products.
- Health: Signing of a Letter of Intent on health and medicine to structure cooperation in hospitals, medical research, digital technology, biotechnology, public health, and combating micro-bacterial resistance.
- Blue Economy: Launch of a partnership between France's IFREMER and India's National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) on ocean research under the Blue Economy and Ocean Governance roadmap.
- Financing the Energy Transition: Announcement of financing from the French Development Agency for India's sustainable cities program "CITIIS 2.0" and financing from Proparco for the South Asia Growth Fund (SAGF III).
- Decarbonized Hydrogen: Manufacturing electrolyzers in India, in line with the Indo-French roadmap for decarbonized hydrogen.
- Student Mobility: Target of welcoming 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030.
- Issuance of 5-year short-stay Schengen visas for Indian students with a Master's degree from a French university.
- Agreement between France Médias Monde and Prasar Bharati for the exchange of audio-visual content and co-production of programs.
- France gifted India a framed facsimile of a 1916 photograph depicting a Parisian presenting flowers to a Sikh officer.
- France also presented a replica of the Charlemagne chessmen and a series of novels by Marcel Proust.
- Indian Prime Minister was honored with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France's highest civilian and military honor, during his visit.
- Also, the final joint statement, did not have any reference to the pact on buying three Scorpene submarines and joint development of a combat aircraft engine.
What are the Major Areas of Cooperation between India and France?
- Background:
- France was one of the first countries with which India signed a “strategic partnership” after the end of the Cold War, in January 1998.
- France was also one of the very few countries to support India’s decision to test nuclear weapons in 1998.
- Joint Exercises: Exercise Shakti (Army), Exercise Varuna (Navy), Exercise Garuda (Air Force)
- France is the 11th largest foreign investor in India, with a cumulative investment of USD 10.49 billion from April 2000 to December 2022.
- Both countries, as part of their joint efforts on climate change, launched the International Solar Alliance in 2015.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q. Consider the following statements: (2016)
- The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.
- 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 2Ans: (a)
