India-France relations: A strategic layer cake

Like a meticulously crafted mille-feuille, the relationship between India and France is composed of delicate, multi-layered strata—each one distinct yet inseparably bound to the next. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2025 visit to Paris has added fresh layers to this intricate diplomatic confection, underscoring a partnership that is as rich in promise as it is complex in its composition.

At the heart of this burgeoning relationship is a staggering $20 billion that India has spent upfront over the years on defence deals. New Delhi’s shopping list includes six Scorpène-class submarines, 36 Rafale fighter jets for the Air Force, and 27 naval variants for the Indian Navy. In underwriting this colossal purchase, India has effectively handed France a near-blank cheque—confidence rarely afforded to any foreign partner. The payoff? Unparalleled access to top-tier weaponry, devoid of the usual diplomatic strings attached.

Yet, as with any layered pastry, the gloss on top belies the nuanced flavours beneath. While France offers India its finest military exports with few caveats, the deal is notably lean on technology transfer. The sophisticated Integrated Combat System (ICS) for Indian submarines will enhance undersea warfare capabilities, but the absence of deeper tech-sharing agreements leaves India wanting. For a country determined to indigenise its defence production under the “Make in India” initiative, this gap is both conspicuous and consequential.

However, the defence partnership is not a one-way street. In an unexpected twist, India has offered France its Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher—a battle-tested system integral to the Indian Army. Should France proceed with this acquisition, it would mark a watershed moment: the first significant Indian defence export to a major Western power. This move could unlock new markets for India’s burgeoning arms industry, reinforcing its status as not just a consumer but a credible supplier of advanced military hardware. The limited range of the rocket system is the only likely hindrance for on cost and firepower it’s a sure shot.

Beyond defence, trade remains the yeast that helps this diplomatic dough rise. As of 2024, India runs a modest trade deficit with France, hovering just above $1 billion. But with the current defence spree, this gap is set to balloon, tilting the scales heavily in France’s favour. The aerospace sector is a key driver—Safran’s jet engines already power several Indian military helicopters, and the Eurodrone project hints at future collaborations. While the numbers may raise eyebrows in Delhi, they reflect a strategic calculation: securing advanced capabilities today, even at the cost of temporary economic imbalance.

Strategically, France’s value to India extends far beyond arms and commerce. Paris has long been a steadfast partner, notably standing by India in the aftermath of its 1998 nuclear tests, when many Western capitals recoiled. This consistency is rare in international relations, where alliances often shift with political winds. Moreover, France’s enduring presence in the Indo-Pacific—thanks to its colonial territories—makes it an indispensable maritime ally. Joint naval exercises have grown in frequency and sophistication, reflecting a shared commitment to ensuring stability in these contested waters.

Another layer in this complex partnership is the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), a project poised to redefine transcontinental connectivity. France’s enthusiastic participation signals a recognition that the Indo-Pacific is not merely an economic theatre but the geopolitical fulcrum of the 21st century. For India, France’s involvement lends both credibility and strategic depth to an initiative designed to counterbalance China’s Belt and Road gambit.

Modi’s Parisian sojourn was, by all measures, a resounding success. Defence deals were inked, strategic partnerships deepened, and economic ties fortified. But for all the pomp and circumstance, the visit also served as a subtle reminder to France: India is not just a lucrative defence customer or an emerging market to be courted. It is a rising power with strategic ambitions that demand recognition beyond transactional exchanges.

In the end, much like a perfect mille-feuille, the Indo-French relationship relies on balance—between hard power and soft diplomacy, commerce and strategy, history and ambition. As the layers continue to build, both nations would do well to ensure that what lies beneath is as robust as the sheen on top.

The writer is a senior journalist with expertise in defence. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.