India and France share a strong strategic partnership that spans defense, trade, nuclear energy, space, and cultural ties. Their relationship has deepened over the years due to mutual interests in global security, multilateralism, and economic collaboration.

1. Strategic & Defence Cooperation

• Major Defense Deals: France is a key defence supplier to India, including Rafale fighter jets, Scorpene-class submarines, and aircraft carriers.
• Joint Military Exercises: Regular exercises like Varuna (naval), Garuda (air force), and Shakti (army) enhance military interoperability.
• Technology Transfer: France supports India's push for self-reliance in defense (Make in India).

2. Trade & Economic Relations

• Bilateral Trade: Exceeded €12 billion in 2023, with cooperation in aviation, IT, and renewable energy.
• French Companies in India: Over 1,000 French firms operate in India, including Dassault, Airbus, Alstom, Capgemini, and Renault.
• India's Presence in France: Tata, Infosys, Mahindra, and other Indian firms have significant investments in France.

3. Civil Nuclear Cooperation

• France is assisting in the construction of the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant, which will be India's largest nuclear power project.
• Strong collaboration on nuclear safety and research.

4. Space Collaboration

• ISRO and CNES (French Space Agency) have a long-standing partnership in satellite launches, climate monitoring, and human spaceflight.
• France is helping India's Gaganyaan mission through astronaut training and space medicine expertise.

5. Cultural & People-to-People Ties

• France hosts a large Indian diaspora (about 120,000 people).
• French is one of the most popular foreign languages in India.
• Educational exchanges and scholarships promote student mobility.

6. Indo-Pacific & Global Cooperation

• France supports India's vision of a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
• Close cooperation in counterterrorism, climate change, and global governance.

• France invited as Chief Guest at India's Republic Day 2024.
• India-France defence industrial cooperation expanded, with discussions on submarines, jet engines, and AI-driven defence tech.
• New agreements on AI, renewable energy, and space tech.

• Some trade barriers and bureaucratic issues.
• Balancing India's strategic autonomy with defence partnerships.

India and France share a trust-based, multidimensional partnership that continues to grow. With increasing collaboration in defence, space, trade, and global governance, their relationship is set to strengthen further.