Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France from February 10 to 12, 2024, and his talks with President Emmanuel Macron gave a significant boost to bilateral cooperation – not only in their direct relations but also in regional and global affairs.
Indeed, annual summits between the two nations are a well-established tradition. In January 2024, Emmanuel Macron was given a special honor when he was invited as the chief guest at India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations. As for Narendra Modi, this visit marked his sixth trip to Paris since taking office as prime minister.
His sixth visit also coincided with his participation in the Summit on Artificial Intelligence, held in Paris on February 10. The event brought together key global leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The summit aimed to foster international collaboration on the development of artificial intelligence technologies. India, for its part, has agreed to host a similar event next year.
During the visit, Macron and Modi held in-depth discussions on a range of bilateral issues. In their joint statement, they underscored the importance of expanding cooperation in trade and the economy, science and technology, defense, space, and nuclear energy – both civilian and military. These topics were also explored at the bilateral economic forum, which took place alongside the visit. Both sides committed to strengthening their collaboration in these key areas and signed a series of agreements to that effect.
Agreements on Expanding Cooperation
A key focus of the discussions was the expansion of the strategic partnership in the energy sector, particularly nuclear energy, in connection with the planned construction of a nuclear power plant in Jaipur, as well as in the field of defense. India agreed to purchase additional French submarines, supplementing the six already delivered under the P75 Scorpene project, along with modern missiles, jet engines, and helicopters. In Marseille, where an Indian consulate general was inaugurated during the visit, the leaders of both countries visited the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor and agreed to collaborate on the development of advanced nuclear reactors.
It is also worth noting the earlier delivery of a squadron of modern Mirage fighter jets to India. Further agreements were reached on expanding cooperation in healthcare, environmental protection, education, and culture.
During discussions on international, regional, and global issues, both sides recognized the similarity of their approaches. They emphasized the need for reforming the UN Security Council, with Paris expressing its support for New Delhi’s bid for a permanent seat.
The joint statement reaffirmed the high level of cooperation between the two countries across various areas of their strategic partnership and underscored their commitment to strengthening it in the coming years.
Russia, recognizing the uniquely privileged and trusted nature of its strategic relations with India, welcomes New Delhi’s independent and proactive foreign policy. Moscow assumes that India’s deepening cooperation with Western partners will not come at the expense of its traditionally strong and growing ties with Russia – a position expected to be reaffirmed during upcoming high-level Russian-Indian meetings later this year.
At the same time, Russia cannot ignore the West’s persistent attempts to drive a wedge into these time-tested, comprehensive, and trust-based bilateral relations. Efforts to pull India closer to the Western bloc at Moscow’s expense are of particular concern, especially given India’s rising global stature and its increasing role in promoting the principles of a fair and democratic multipolar world order.
Anvar Azimov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, PhD in History, Senior Research Fellow at the Eurasian Studies Institute of MGIMO
