India, France, a tale of Les Deux Magots

There is an inevitability about India increasing its engagement with France - two magicians or magots of sovereign autonomy, if you channel the iconic Parisian cafe - that goes beyond the regular trade channel. France is India's second-largest supplier of arms, principally aerospace and marine platforms, and the relationship will solidify as India reduces its reliance on Russian arms supplies. The French have been sensitive to India's need to build domestic defence production capacity, and recent purchases have been sweetened by local manufacturing clauses traditionally associated with Russian imports. France and India are, respectively, the world's second-biggest arms exporter and importer. This places them uniquely to improve their strategic interdependence.

The other hook in the Indo-French relationship is energy security. France has the world's largest share of nuclear power in electricity generation. India recently altered liability requirements in private nuclear power generation to invite foreign investment in this sector. A bigger engagement with France in this area allows India to address chronic energy import dependence. It also contributes to the country's commitments to climate change. France has reversed a plan to reduce its dependence on nuclear energy and is building new reactors. The European nation is also extending the lifecycle of its existing reactors to draw more juice out of a clean energy source.

India and France share a common objective about the AI race where neither country is comfortable being totally dependent on the US or Chinese models. This allows them to pool their resources for strategic autonomy in AI. Deeper ties in building infrastructure and accelerating AI dispersal should allow the countries to punch above their weight. A shared vision of ethical development of AI and the practical necessity of low-energy computing strengthens bilateral commitment to the cause. The reset in ties is an acknowledgement of the ground realities than any vision of the future. Which is why the Indo-French relationship has endured and should mature like fine wine.