In this article, we will discuss India, Germany and France Relations (Recent Developments). So, let’s get started.
India, Germany and France Relations (Recent Developments)
- In April 2022, the President of the European Commission on her visit to Delhi unveiled the new contours of the EU’s strategic partnership with India by launching the India-Europe Trade and Technology Council. This is the EU’s second such council.
- However, in the PM’s visit to Europe, the focus is on India’s key bilateral partnerships with European majors – Germany and France as well as a critical northern corner of Europe, the so-called Norden.
- The visit will provide India with an opportunity to find ways to limit some of the negative regional and global consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war and explore the emerging possibilities for stronger cooperation with key European countries.
- The strategic convergence between India and France is based on the fundamental conviction of both countries in a multipolar world and in the concept of strategic autonomy.
- France has stood by India since 1998 when India conducted nuclear tests and the entire world was against the latter.
- In recent times, France has been India’s “new Russia” — its most important strategic partner.
- In the last few years, France has emerged as a strong defender of India’s interests in the UN Security Council and a regional ally in the vast Indo-Pacific theatre.
- France has also been a major supplier of advanced arms to India.
- Germany and India do not have a traditional strategic partnership. It is a green partnership based on trade, investment, technology, functional collaboration, skill development, and sustainability.
- There are several initiatives like the Indo-German energy forum, environmental forum, partnership on urban mobility, skill development and science and technology.
- More recently, in January 2022, the German Navy frigate Bayern landed in Mumbai which was a remarkable step for Indo-German relations signifying a concrete outcome of the Indo-Pacific Policy Guidelines that Germany adopted in 2020.
