In an increasingly volatile and fragmented global order, France has chosen strategic autonomy and dialogue over bloc politics, refusing to join groupings like the Quad while maintaining that engagement with all countries remains essential, the French envoy to India said during an event in New Delhi.
French Ambassador Thierry Mathou said the world is witnessing an era of instability marked by conflict, economic coercion, terrorism, and climate stress. He highlighted the pattern of major powers resorting to military aggression, sanctions, and unilateral actions, warning that such trends are aggravating an already fragile global system. Referencing former French President Jacques Chirac, he said the world is not only “burning” but that some actors are actively worsening the situation.
The envoy described the India–France partnership as a rare “island of stability and responsibility.” He highlighted growing convergence between the two countries in addressing geopolitical and economic imbalances, as well as shared approaches to global challenges. Recent high-level engagements, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to France for G7-related consultations, reflect this deepening alignment, he added.
France, which currently chairs the G7, has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the upcoming summit not merely as an outreach partner but as a key participant. The envoy recalled that France had first extended such an invitation to Modi during the 2019 Biarritz Summit, highlighting India’s growing global relevance.
A central pillar of France’s foreign policy, Mathou said, is “strategic autonomy,” a concept rooted in the legacy of Charles de Gaulle. While France remains a member of NATO and maintains strong alliances, it prioritises independent decision-making in defence, energy, and foreign policy. “We rely on partners, but at the end, we must rely on our own capabilities,” he said, citing France’s nuclear energy programme and independent deterrence posture as examples.
The envoy also spoke about India’s own strategic thinking, noting that New Delhi similarly values autonomy while maintaining partnerships. “India also understands that in a complex regional environment, it must depend on its own capacities,” he said.
It is within this framework that France has avoided joining the Quad grouping, he said. “We have always refused to enter into formal military alliances beyond our commitments, and we also refused to be part of a Quad,” Mathou said. While clarifying that the Quad is not a military alliance, he stressed that France prefers inclusive engagement over confrontational frameworks, particularly when dealing with major powers such as China. “It is important to talk to everybody,” he said, emphasising diplomacy alongside strategic clarity.
The envoy also pointed to shifting geopolitical dynamics in Europe, particularly in light of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While France maintains close ties with the United States, recent developments, including trade tensions and evolving security commitments, have reinforced the need for greater European self-reliance. Several European nations are now reassessing defence priorities and increasing military spending, he added.
At the same time, Mathou warned against allowing geopolitical rivalries to overshadow pressing global challenges. Issues such as climate change, pandemics, and technological governance require urgent collective action, he said. Referring to the upcoming One Health Summit in Lyon, he highlighted areas such as zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and sustainable food systems as key priorities for international cooperation, including with India.
On artificial intelligence, the envoy identified a shared India–France approach that balances innovation with regulation. Unlike more polarised global models, he said, both countries advocate ethical frameworks, equitable access for the Global South, and safeguards for young users in the digital ecosystem.
The India–France relationship itself has entered a new phase, having recently been upgraded to a “global strategic and special partnership” following the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India. The envoy said the new designation reflects deeper trust and a shared sense of responsibility in addressing global issues.
Both nations are steadily expanding economic ties, with bilateral trade more than doubling over the past decade to reach USD 15.15 billion in FY 2024–25. France is the 11th largest foreign investor in India, with over USD 10 billion in cumulative investments since 2000 and more than 1,000 French companies operating in the country.
Under the Horizon 2047 roadmap, bilateral cooperation is structured around three pillars: defence and security, partnership for the planet, and people-to-people ties. Defence remains a key driver, with ongoing collaboration on Rafale fighter aircraft, Scorpene submarines, and joint exercises such as Varuna and Shakti. Both sides are also exploring co-development of advanced technologies, including next-generation fighter engines.
Cooperation extends to the space sector, where ISRO and the French space agency CNES have a long-standing partnership, and to civil nuclear energy, including the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project and emerging work on small modular reactors.
However, Mathou stressed that the long-term strength of the relationship lies in societal connections. He described the current number of Indian students in France as around 11,000, as modest, outlining a target of 30,000 by 2030. At the same time, he emphasised that France does not seek to encourage a brain drain, but rather a cycle where students return to India and contribute to its economy, including through employment in French companies operating in the country.
On India–EU ties, the envoy described recent engagement as a turning point, driven by global uncertainties. Ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement could significantly boost economic ties, he said, adding that France sees itself playing a key role in strengthening India’s relationship with the European Union.
While acknowledging differences over the Ukraine conflict, Mathou emphasised the need for mutual understanding, noting that “the war in Ukraine is not just a regional issue; it affects the security of all of Europe,” and that such perspectives must be factored into deeper cooperation. He argued for a rules-based order, stating, “There is a tendency to say ‘might is right’, but we believe ‘right is right’.” |
