France, an indispensable future ally for India? Emmanuel Macron is the guest of honor of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for two days on the occasion of the Indian Constitution Day, which came into force on January 26, 1950, two years after independence. The President of the Republic does not come alone, the Ministers of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, of Culture, Rachida Dati, of Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné, and around fifteen business leaders are also there. But then, what is the program? What are the issues ? Why is France the only country on the guest list? 20 minutes answers your questions
What is the program for Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India?
Welcomed on the red carpet by a parade of elephants, President Emmanuel Macron landed this Thursday early in the afternoon at Jaipur airport, 200 kilometers south of New Delhi. On the program of this enlightening visit, meeting with artists and exchanges with young Indians in the imposing decor of the Amber Fort, before joining the Prime Minister who has arranged a car parade for him through Jaipur, followed by a one-on-one dinner in a former royal residence transformed into a palace. He will be received in the evening by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state banquet in a 19th century maharaja’s palace. Friday morning, they will attend the big military parade in New Delhi together, to the sound of 21 cannon shots. Emmanuel Macron will first join the tribune of honor aboard a cab. A contingent of 150 legionnaires as well as two Rafale fighters and a French tanker plane will also be there, between Indian tank regiments and camel cavalry.
Symbol of bilateral cooperation in the space field, from satellites to manned flights, the two leaders, accompanied by French astronaut Thomas Pesquet, will also visit an 18th century astronomical observatory.
What will Macron and Modi talk about?
The two leaders will have discussions on Ukraine, the Middle East and China as well as bilateral defense cooperation, according to an Indian diplomatic source. You should know that India, a long-time ally of Russia, which remains its main arms supplier, refuses to condemn its offensive in Ukraine
It should also be noted that France and India, two nuclear powers, have long cultivated defense ties and that France hopes to increase its cooperation in the military industry with India – which has purchased 36 Rafales and is in negotiations to acquire more. 26 others – and sell it six EPR nuclear reactors. Negotiations will also continue around the sale of these 26 combat aircraft intended for the navy, as well as that of three Scorpène submarines. No announcements should therefore be made during the visit.
What are the (sub)issues of this lightning visit?
This thirty-six hour visit will be conducted at a running pace. Emmanuel Macron will hold ceremonies, cultural visits, but also political interviews. And for good reason, the approach is not disinterested. “This trip will make it possible to consolidate and deepen Franco-Indian diplomatic and economic relations and to strengthen links between civil societies,” welcomes the French presidency. Knowing that India, both the largest demographic power (1.43 billion inhabitants) and the fifth largest economy in the world, is an essential heavyweight and increasingly sought after…
France, for its part, intends to be a player in the Asia-Pacific zone and a balancing power between North and South. Emmanuel Macron, very focused in recent weeks on the relaunch of his five-year term, after a difficult year, is thus gaining ground internationally at a new moment of tension in France with the discontent of farmers. Modi, who had been the guest of honor for the July 14 military parade in Paris, returned the favor six months later. The fact remains that, according to local media, the French head of state would be a second choice: the Indian Prime Minister had first invited American President Joe Biden… who ultimately did not follow up.