Scorpene leak: Strategic ties with France strong but sharing probe information is key

NEW DELHI: India’s strategic partnership with France may not be jolted following the leaks of documents on the Scorpene submarine project, but answers from the European nation on the development could have a bearing on Delhi’s decades-old bonhomie with Paris in key sectors.

While strategic partnership across space, nuclear and defence sectors may not be impacted in the near future, the sharing of probe findings with India by France would be vital for their relationship, people familiar with the developments indicated to ET. India has sought a report from France on the leak of the classified information.

A bilateral meeting between Delhi and Paris to discuss the issue cannot be ruled out in the near future. “India is awaiting details from the France and a lot will depend on the severity of the damage. The big picture in Indo-French relations may not be adversely impacted but the French side has some questions to answer as it relates to a sensitive issue. The bigger landscape is not currently impacted but both sides have to factor in the probe findings,” said a source familiar with Indo-French relations.

France is also expected to initiate a damage control exercise, hinted a source familiar with the matter. Experts also pointed out that DCNS is a reputed firm with several global clients and it is likely to take corrective steps.

France is among India’s oldest partners in space and defence sectors since the sixties when Indian space scientists were trained by their counterparts in France. This training contributed in a big way in developing India’s space sector. Built over decades, the Indo-France strategic partnership today has four distinct elements — defence, space, nuclear and security issues.

Counter-terror cooperation and intelligence sharing have also gained significance as part of the strategic partnership that has often prospered without grabbing headlines.