Strategic trust: Modi and Macron must embrace more tightly
The Tribune Editorial: After Russia, France has become India's second largest defence partner
FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India highlights the evolving depth of the India-France strategic partnership. In a world defined by fluid alliances, continuity between trusted partners carries weight. Back in 1998, France was the only big power, besides Russia, which refused to criticise India's nuclear tests. The decades, since, have only reinforced this vote of confidence. The purchase of a second tranche of Rafale fighter jets, Hammer missiles and Scorpene submarines, means that after Russia, France has become India's second largest defence partner. In these columns, Indian defence analysts have rued the lack of indigenous defence capability, which increases dependence on foreign suppliers, especially in times of war. It has escaped no one's notice worldwide that Rafales and Sukhois faced off against Chinese-made jets deployed by Pakistan during Op Sindoor. Nor that, recently in Davos, Macron indirectly criticised China by saying that the Chinese are hardly doing enough, and need to invest much more in Europe.
Macron's visit is certainly a reaffirmation of India's strategic independence. In an age where Donald Trump has upended every foreign policy mantra, with a wilful unilateralism that forces most of the rest of the world to comply -- even as China grows more assertive -- the Modi-Macron tie is a force for stability. It allows both countries much-needed elbow room to rethink their relationships in an uncertain world.
Unlike France, India is not a permanent member of the UN Security Council. The French are also more than a little arrogant about their commitment to democracy, even though 16,000 people were guillotined in the reign of terror that followed the French Revolution back in 1789. In the current scenario, both sides should downplay their differences. In a few weeks from now, Trump will meet Xi Jinping. If only to hedge against the tremors of that impending alliance, Modi and Macron must embrace more tightly. They need each other too much.
