Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the guest of honor in Paris at a military parade to mark France’s National Day on July 14 – an opportunity for France to “engage in a new phase of partnership” with New Delhi as China steps up its show of force . in the Indo-Pacific region, reports Agence France-Presse, taken by Agerpres.

“To mark this momentous occasion, a contingent of the Indian Armed Forces will take part in the parade along with the French forces,” the two countries said in a joint statement on Friday.

According to the statement, France and India want to establish “ambitious new goals for strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation, including in a large number of industrial sectors.”

Recalling that they “share the same vision for peace and security, especially in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region”, the two partners are also considering “joint initiatives” on climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable development.

The visit will also be “an opportunity for France and India to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism, especially in the context of India’s G20 presidency,” the statement explained.

Paris and New Delhi are important partners, AFP notes. In February, India’s national carrier Air India signed a letter of intent with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus for 250 aircraft. France is trying to increase its influence in the vast Indo-Pacific region, which stretches from India to the South Pacific, passing through China, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

With India becoming the most populous country in the world at the end of April, overtaking China to reach 1.425 billion inhabitants, according to the United Nations, the area will account for 75% of the world’s population in 2040 – with significant economic potential for development. France has several territories such as New Caledonia, French Polynesia and even Antarctic and sub-Antarctic territories. More than 7,000 French soldiers are stationed in the area, about ten frigates operate and several aircraft provide surveillance of the area.

“Block logic”

French President Emmanuel Macron visited China in April, which has repeatedly shown force against Taiwan in recent months. But after losing an important submarine contract with Australia, Paris is trying to strengthen its relationship with India, a desired key partner.

During an official visit last September, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna spoke of the “common point” between New Delhi and Paris, that “the logic of bloc against bloc would be wrong: it is no longer an American logic, we are more different. a nuanced and multidimensional approach in our relations with China.”

She added that France and India share a “very congruent analysis of China’s attitude, its militarization,” as well as common concerns, particularly about Beijing’s operations in the Taiwan Strait.

“France intends to use all its diplomatic and strategic weight” in the Indo-Pacific region, Isabelle Saint-Mezar, a researcher at the Asia Center of the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri), explained to France Presse in April.

Faced with the risks of a new Cold War between China and the United States of America, Paris is positioning itself as an “alternative” to Beijing or Washington, she added.

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