India-France Relations

[cobra commando]

France may pip USA by entering into joint production with India for key defence equipment - The Economic Times

 

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IIT-Delhi's French connection looks at aerospace applications - The Hindu

 

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The French Defence Minister, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian presenting a memento depicting brave Indian soldiers who participated in World War-I, to the Union Minister for Defence, Shri Manohar Parrikar, in New Delhi on December 02, 2014.

 

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PM Modi's France visit: India to discuss sharing of coastal surveillance radars in the Indian Ocean - The Economic Times

 

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India-France release stamps on 50 years of space cooperation.


List of agreements/initiatives/announcements signed/agreed during visit of Prime Minister to France (09-12 April, 2015)

 

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India-France Joint Statement during the visit of Prime Minister to France (April 9-11, 2015)

 

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PM Modi & France President Hollande at the exchange of agreements & release of commemorative stamps
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=O73Fe9Q26cc

PM Modi with France President Hollande at the Press Statement
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r0fSg6cA-DY


PM and President Hollande during boat ride on the River Seine
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LySbZgQg1_U

 

[cobra commando]

PM Modi pays homage to Indian Soldiers at WW1 Memorial in Neuve-Chapelle
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CG4a5VNiog0

 

[prohumanity]

France has been ,historically a good partner for India during Mr.Metterand and Mr Sarkozy's administration. The French conservatives like Mr.Hollande has been indifferent and not so supportive of India's interests. Hesitation in transfer of technology and escalating Rafael price tag are some opportunistic steps during conservative govt of France. Lately, France has also become less independent in its foreign policy and timid asserting its independent thinking. Not delivering Mistral Helicopter career to Russia is putting question mark on French reliability as a supplier. Is India really that desperate to tolerate excessive delays and price escalations ? Rather than depending on unreliable suppliers , why can't India mass produce high tech weapons which it is capable of producing at home ? If it is all about defending itself, why not mass produce Prithvi, Agni and Surya missiles (I mean in thousands in numbers)
and make it clear to all military powers that India has full intention of retaliating with Nuclear missiles if it is attacked with any kind of weapons. Enough of timidity and cowardice ! Why should India drain in financial resources begging for these military toys from these nations ? Isn't it another type of slavery ?

 

[sorcerer]

France has been ,historically a good partner for India during Mr.Metterand and Mr Sarkozy's administration. The French conservatives like Mr.Hollande has been indifferent and not so supportive of India's interests. Hesitation in transfer of technology and escalating Rafael price tag are some opportunistic steps during conservative govt of France. Lately, France has also become less independent in its foreign policy and timid asserting its independent thinking. Not delivering Mistral Helicopter career to Russia is putting question mark on French reliability as a supplier. Is India really that desperate to tolerate excessive delays and price escalations ? Rather than depending on unreliable suppliers , why can't India mass produce high tech weapons which it is capable of producing at home ? If it is all about defending itself, why not mass produce Prithvi, Agni and Surya missiles (I mean in thousands in numbers)

and make it clear to all military powers that India has full intention of retaliating with Nuclear missiles if it is attacked with any kind of weapons. Enough of timidity and cowardice ! Why should India drain in financial resources begging for these military toys from these nations ? Isn't it another type of slavery ?

Lately, France has also become less independent in its foreign policy and timid asserting its independent thinking. Not delivering Mistral Helicopter career to Russia is putting question mark on French reliability as a supplier.

This is a very serious worry and a very real threat without ToT. If the GoI is bidding for the ToT, then I think a larger part of France being a supplier of spares will go away to an extent.

Is India really that desperate to tolerate excessive delays and price escalations ?

Delays and escalations are part and parcel of defence deals, we have to negotiate through it. We have seen such delays even with Russia. Somehow the MoD has to find ways to cut the procurement delays from our end.

Rather than depending on unreliable suppliers , why can't India mass produce high tech weapons which it is capable of producing at home ?

There are specific technologies that India is planning to build after working together with leaders in those areas. India can slowly be independent by learning and innovating.

If it is all about defending itself, why not mass produce Prithvi, Agni and Surya missiles (I mean in thousands in numbers)
and make it clear to all military powers that India has full intention of retaliating with Nuclear missiles if it is attacked with any kind of weapons.

Missiles has its strategic limitations where as fighter-jets with human control can decide on a lot of real time factors during war.
India has no first use policy regarding nukes. so that can be discounted. Changing the no first use policy will make the equation very unstable in the region cuz we do have competing countries with nukes in very close proximity.

Why should India drain in financial resources begging for these military toys from these nations

We are not begging, we are paying for it and we are getting it custom build for our force. If there are countries ready to sell, India can buy it with ToT. Thats a good move.

Russia is a reliable supplier..but right now..Russia as a country has its own survival issues and hence cannot keep up with the orders given to them. India as a nation cannot wait for Russian defence industries to come out of the Ukrain war blues. So its better to go for the immediate alternate and fill the gap rather than lose the advantage in posturing.

 

[sgarg]

The relationship with France or any other country MUST NOT be seen purely from military angle. It is a foolish view to put so much emphasis on military supplies.

India's own military industries will develop well enough in future to meet 70-80% of military's equipment requirements.

There is going be a rapid growth in domestic military output.

 

[prohumanity]

Missiles has its strategic limitations where as fighter-jets with human control can decide on a lot of real time factors during war.
India has no first use policy regarding nukes. so that can be discounted. Changing the no first use policy will make the equation very unstable in the region cuz we do have competing countries with nukes in very close proximity.




India does have enough SU30 MKI , LCA ,Mirage2000s etc. As far as the fear that the equation will become unstable.....isn't it unstable enough already with Paki NOT having No First Use policy. I think that India's historic timidity and fearful ness has emboldened nations like Paki....Why we created Nuclear Missiles....To defend our nation....And not to propagate some Gandhian Non Violent philosophy ...which none of the western nations believe in..they accumulated tens of thousands of Nukes and then, to fool Indians...put some clay statues of Gandhi in some street corners of Washington or Paris.
Do what Uncle does...do not do what Uncle says.... there is a reason why Uncle is doing what Uncle is doing ! Almost 5 million plus human lives have perished in Iraq, Libya, Syria and Ukraine and World is impotent to utter even a word. Why? Because Military powers can silence any critics.

 

[Compersion]

i would like to see france be (one of the main) movers of the motion in the united nations general assembly to get india to be UNSC member ... viva la france

we need to be assertive to get UNSC and i think it is falling into place and after long time i am reading a pattern in play. it needs to not be underestimated how we will play a pioneer role in setting the standard and process for new UNSC and who and how it is done. we need to do it and take it face on. we need to get it understood and i really feel there is a sweet spot coming for us. we dont need to fear rejection and we need to plan because of majority number when the case on reasonableness is that we will have heavy and significant support in numbers (un general assembly). we will be the first and have to be the first and do it for the rest of the world. we need to show confidence yet reason also:

'It is India's Right to Have a Permanent Seat in UN Security Council,' Says PM Modi

'It is India's Right to Have a Permanent Seat in UN Security Council,' Says PM Modi

"Gone are those days when India will beg, we demand our right. I urge the international community to honour those who are envoys of peace. This is the opportunity to give the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Buddha its due," he said on Saturday while addressing the Indian Diaspora in Paris.

"Indians have never fought a war because they wanted to expand their territorial boundaries. India has never been an aggressor in thousands of years of her history. We are a peace-loving nation," he said, asking the United Nations to reconsider its stand on the issue when it celebrates the 70th anniversary.

"Both during World War I, and the World War II, when 14 lakh Indians went to the battle front, the participation of Indians was immense," he stressed. Speaking about the World War I, he said, "The war went on for 4 years; Indians were fighting, but not for themselves."

"India is a nation that has always believed in world peace. India is known as the land of sacrifice and devotion. I feel proud that our ancestors have left us such a tradition. The world should understand this and change its outlook towards India," he said.

"The world is not aware of the greatness of India, leave alone its capabilities. I want the world to understand that and recognise that. I can assure you that the day will not be far when the world will both understand and recognise India's potential," PM Modi said.

 

[cobra commando]

French Naval Ships Dixmude (Landing Platform Dock) and Aconit (Frigate) are on a visit to Visakhapatnam from 16 to 22 Jun 15. Rear Admiral Antoine Beaussant, ALINDIEN (Admiral-in- charge of the Maritime Zone of the Indian Ocean), Captain Pierre de Briancon Commanding Officer FNS Dixmude and Captain Jean- Pierre Helluy, Commanding Officer FNS Aconit called on Vice Admiral Bimal Verma, Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command on 16 Jun 15. During the visit, various operational and social interactions with Eastern Naval Command have been planned. These include amphibious demonstration, sharing of expertise on Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR), exchange of Non- Combatant Evacuation procedures, mutual ship visits, industry exhibition and sports fixtures.
(Source: MOD)

 

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INDO - FRENCH JOINT TRAINING EXERCISE “SHAKTI – 2016”

The French Army contingent participating in Indo - French joint training Exercise “SHAKTI – 2016” arrived on 06 January 2016.Exercise SHAKTI-2016 is the seventh edition in the series of bilateral exercises under this banner. The joint exercise would focus on Counter Terrorism operations in the backdrop of semi-urban terrain under the United Nation Mandate and will end on 16 Jan 15.
(ADGPI - Indian Army)

 

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In a first, French Army to participate in Republic Day parade this year

New Delhi: For the first time in the history of India, contingent of any foreign country's army will take part in this year's Republic Day Parade . Reports say that a strong contingent of French Army, which is already in India for a joint military exercise, will take part in the parade along with Indian Armed forces. This year French President Francois Hollande will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. His visit is expected to further strengthen the robust strategic partnership between the two countries. This will be the fifth time that a French leader will be a Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations — the maximum number from any country so far. Earlier leaders from that country had presided in 1976, 1980, 1998 and 2008.Bhutan has presided four times so far in 1954, 1984, 2005 and 2013. Significantly, France was the first country with which India established a Strategic Partnership in 1998 after New Delhi did nuclear tests. France is also the first country with which India entered into a civil nuclear energy cooperation in 2008 after obtaining the NSG waiver.

In a first, French Army to participate in Republic Day parade this year

 

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French troops take part in marching practice at Rajpath

NEW DELHI: French soldiers today took part in marching practice at the Rajpath along with Indian soldiers for the Republic Day celebrations next week. Early morning, a smartly dressed contingent of French troops, began their practice. This would be the first since independence when foreign troops will march down the Rajpath for Republic Day parade.
French President Francois Hollande is the chief guest for this year's celebrations. A French contingent comprising 56 personnel of 35th Infantry Regiment of 7th Armoured Brigade have just finished their joint exercise with Indian soldiers in Rajasthan. The French soldiers were taking part in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency joint exercise called 'Shakti 2016'. The 35th Infantry Regiment's origin dates back to its raising in 1604 at Lorraine, France. The regiment has as many as 12 battle honours to its credit. The battalion has varied combat experiences, having served in Algeria, Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan, amongst other places.

French troops take part in marching practice at Rajpath

 

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[Assassin 2.0]

Joining hands to overcome #covid19: Through the French Development Agency @AFD_en, France is providing financial support of up to € 200 million to boost social welfare systems and protect vulnerable populations in India!


French ambassador to india retweeted this.

 

[Assassin 2.0]

France becomes the latest member of India led Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
@ResilientInfra
. It was launched by PM Modi in New York in Sept 2019.CDRI is the 2nd major coalition launched by India outside of the UN, the first being the Intl Solar Alliance