French President Emmanuel Macron is currently on bilateral visit to India.
Agreements on deepening mutual cooperation across sectors like - Defence, Solar and Nuclear Power were sealed.
What are the major outcomes?
The pioneering agreement for “India-France strategic partnership” was signed in 1998, and relationships have been in good shape since.
Currently, a “Joint Vision Statement” on the Indian Ocean Region was issued, which clearly aimed at countering China’s growing presence in the region.
A “reciprocal logistics support” agreement (Defence) was also signed, which is an indication of the diversifying strategic partnerships for both countries.
While multiple previous deadlines have slipped, a recommitment for starting the “Jaitapur nuclear power plant” has now been made.
Commitments towards the “International Solar Alliance” (ISA) and joint ventures on climate change cooperation were reiterated.
How prospective is the “International Solar Alliance” (ISA)?
ISA was proposed jointly by India and France in the backdrop the “Paris Climate Talks” or CoP 21.
With 61 countries already onboard the ISA, India and France are clearly promising an alternative leadership model for the less developed world.
This is significant in the face of U.S. pullout from the Paris Climate Accord and the greater vulnerability of poorer countries to climate change.
ISA is oriented towards sunshine countries (between the tropics), and it focuses on Project financing and technical assistance.
While it has been estimated that $1 trillion is needed to meet the ISA targets, India and France have thus far committed $1.4 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively.
Challenges - India’s solar power tariff is around Rs. 2.40 a unit, which makes Solar a costly option domestically.
While India has targeted a solar capacity addition of over 100 GWs by 2022, this seems unviable unless various solar components become cheaper.
Also, addition of new thermal power plants (as they produce more stable output) is a hindrance to solar deployment.
How does the future of ties look?
While there is scope for bilateral navel and intelligence cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region, it is majorly symbolic than substantive.
As two pluralistic democracies with a firm belief in a multi-polar world order, India and France have numerous strategic convergences.
Multiple practical considerations do hinder greater Indo-French ties in the international arena, but the sentiments are positive and needs to be sustained.
