French President Emmanuel Macron begins a three-day visit to India on Tuesday. The talks will focus on artificial intelligence cooperation. They may also include a potential multibillion-dollar Dassault Rafale fighter jet deal.
France aims to expand its military partnership with New Delhi. Discussions are expected on a potential contract for 114 additional French fighter jets.
Macron and his wife Brigitte arrived around midnight on Monday in Mumbai, India’s financial capital. This is his fourth visit to India since taking office in 2017.
He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later on Tuesday.
Macron will then travel to New Delhi for an artificial intelligence summit on Wednesday and Thursday.
The visit follows New Delhi’s confirmation last week of its intention to place a major order for Rafale jets. Additionally, a landmark free trade agreement was signed between India and the European Union in January.
‘Contract of the century’
Over the past decade, New Delhi has worked to reduce its dependence on Russia. Russia has been its traditional main supplier of military equipment. It is turning to other countries. Meanwhile, it is also pushing for more domestic production.
An Indian defence ministry statement last week said the proposed purchase of Rafale jets had been cleared. The majority of them are to be manufactured in India.
The statement did not specify the exact number of jets New Delhi would purchase. However, a New Delhi defence ministry source said that 114 was likely.
Christophe Jaffrelot is an India specialist at Sciences Po Center for International Studies in Paris. He described the potential $35 billion deal for 114 Rafales as the “contract of the century.” It could also be a potential “crowning achievement” for bilateral ties.
If finalised, the jets would add to the 36 Rafales India purchased for its air force in 2016. Additionally, they would add to the 26 it has ordered for its navy.
Negotiations over the additional aircraft still need to be concluded with manufacturer Dassault Aviation. The French presidency has voiced optimism. They believe that what they call a “historic” agreement could be reached.
‘Good chemistry’
Modi and Macron will inaugurate India’s first helicopter final assembly line on Tuesday. They will do this via videoconference from Mumbai. This assembly line is a joint venture between India’s Tata Group and Airbus.
The facility in Vemagal is in the southern state of Karnataka, near the tech hub of Bengaluru. It will manufacture the Airbus H125. This model is the company’s best-selling single-engine helicopter.
France has emerged as one of India’s most important defence and economic partners in the last decade.
“Through this visit, we aim to further strengthen cooperation” with India. Additionally, we intend to “diversify” France’s economic and trade partnerships, Macron’s office said.
India, the world’s most populous country with 1.4 billion people, is on track to become the fourth-largest economy globally.
This week’s talks are expected to address global economic uncertainty. This uncertainty is triggered by tariff policies under US President Donald Trump. They will also discuss China’s influence in the region.
Modi’s office said discussions would focus on “cementing the strategic partnership and further diversifying it into new and emerging areas”.
Bilateral trade between France and India is driven largely by defence and aerospace. India’s commercial fleet includes a substantial number of Airbus aircraft. The trade stands at around $18 billion annually.
French foreign direct investment in India totals nearly $15 billion.
The two leaders will also be keen to nurture close personal ties.
“There is apparently a good chemistry, a good personal rapport,” Jaffrelot said.
One sensitive issue remains Ukraine: India has not condemned Russia’s 2022 invasion and has continued buying oil from Moscow.
US President Donald Trump has said India had committed to halting the purchases. However, this commitment has not been formally confirmed by New Delhi.
“If the Indians stop buying Russian oil, they won’t be blamed for abstaining at the UN,” Jaffrelot added.
The Author
Discover more from News Network Plus
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
