Defence, space and civil nuclear cooperation have been the traditional focus areas of the bilateral relations. India and France have been strategic partners since 1998. Source: France and the Security of Indo-Pacific, Ministry of the Armed France, 2019 4 Therefore, given the significant interests, both India and France have shared interests in maintaining security and stability in the IOR. 4,100 French personnel are stationed in the Indian Ocean at different locations including deployments at both the overseas territories, Djibouti and Abu Dhabi. 3įrance, on the other hand is an Indian Ocean Region state, owing to its overseas territories of Mayotte and La Réunion Islands and a large EEZ. Nearly 80% of the country’s crude oil requirement which is expected to increase in future is imported using the ISLs across the Indian Ocean. 2 Much of India’s trade with its major trading partners including ASEAN countries, Japan, Republic of Korea, China and the Americas passes through this region. The Ocean has “shaped much of India’s history, holds the key to India’s future”. 1 The geographical location of the country inextricably links its security, commerce and trade with the maritime domain. km of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), is an important player in the region. India, centrally located in the Indian Ocean and with its extensive coastline of 7500 kms, more than 1380 islands and 2 million sq. Therefore, safety and security of the Ocean, which is challenged by both traditional and non-traditional threats, is critical not only for the regional countries but also for international economic stability.īoth the countries have crucial stakes in the IOR. Of the total trade passing via the Ocean, nearly 80 percent is carried out by the extra-regional countries. The Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca are the world's most important strategic chokepoints by volume of oil transit. The Indian Ocean has some of the most critical International Sea Lanes (ISLs) carrying much of the trade between Asian countries, Europe, and the Middle East. These agreements mark a significant step-forward in India-France cooperation for maritime security in the IOR. It follows an earlier MoU between the ISRO and the CNES, signed in March 2018 aimed at co-developing a maritime surveillance satellite system focused on the Indian Ocean. Following the bilateral talks, among others, an MoU was signed for ‘Implementing Arrangement between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) France for Joint Maritime Domain Awareness in the Indian Ocean. Prime Minister Modi was on a state visit to France for the 45 th G7 summit meeting at the invitation of the French President. On August 22, 2019, bilateral talks were held between the French President Emmanuel Macron and the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Paris, France. The Indian Ocean has become a priority area of discussion in recent Indo-French bilateral interactions as both countries are eager to expand their long standing strategic partnership to the maritime realm. France on the other hand, recognizing geopolitical shifts, has begun to stress on its identity as an Indo-Pacific nation and willingness to strengthen its partnerships with the major players in the region. India with its growing economic, maritime military capabilities and strategic ambitions in the wider Indo-Pacific region is keen to strengthen partnerships with the countries across the region. In recent years there has been significant progress in India-France maritime security cooperation, focusing on the Indian Ocean. An increasing convergence of interests in the IOR offers a lot of scope for deepening bilateral maritime cooperation. The current political leadership in both the countries has shown particular keenness in strengthening Indo-French cooperation in enhancing the safety and security of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Maritime security cooperation is gradually becoming an important aspect of India-France strategic partnership. Questions Asked in the Parliament and their Replies.Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) Programme.Centre for Migration, Mobility & Diaspora Studies.
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