A groundbreaking development during the recent visit of President Emmanuel Macron to India, the two nations have discreetly inked a revolutionary Defence Space Agreement. This agreement, not widely publicized, could potentially pave the way for collaborative efforts in launching military satellites endowed with both offensive and defensive capabilities.
The accord, signed by French Defence Minister Sebastien Locornu and India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on January 26, comes as a testament to the robust diplomatic ties between the two countries. The Letter of Intent (LoI) establishes the framework for a Defence Space Partnership, offering a pathway for joint endeavors in space defense. The collaboration aims to bolster global situational awareness, fortify the protection of communication and surveillance satellites, and enhance transparency in air, land, and sea battlefields.
While the specifics of the agreement remain shrouded in secrecy, insiders suggest that the pact allows the space agencies of both nations to collaboratively develop and launch military satellites. These satellites are envisioned not only to safeguard India's space assets but also to monitor the activities of potential adversaries.
President Macron reportedly emphasized that there are "no limits" to French support for India in defense matters, covering areas such as design, development, manufacturing, and certification of new platforms tailored to the unique requirements of both nations.
The visit of the French President underscored the commitment to a long-term relationship between India and France, especially given their aligned political stance on global issues such as the conflict in Houthis and the Gaza war. Despite nuanced differences over the Ukraine conflict due to France's EU membership, the two nations have decided to stand by each other.
During Macron's visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar accompanied him throughout. Sources suggest that President Macron was impressed by the growing support for PM Modi even after a decade in office.
In the backdrop of a volatile global situation, stretching from Morocco to Iran and the South East Asia region due to China's influence, India and France have chosen to collaborate based on independent foreign policy and strategic autonomy. France has further extended support to India, activating a five-year Schengen visa scheme for Indian youth to access top-notch skills in French universities.
The collaboration extends beyond the realm of space defense, as France expresses willingness to assist India in developing cutting-edge defense platforms, including fighter aircraft engines, nuclear attack submarines, and underwater drones. The announced defense industrial roadmap not only aims to make India self-reliant in the long term but also seeks to establish a robust industrial base, generating employment and reducing dependency on foreign imports. Additionally, the two nations have agreed to manufacture in India and jointly export to third countries.
As President Macron emphasized the importance of unhindered India-France ties, the collaboration appears poised to propel India into the forefront of cutting-edge technologies without prejudice or reservations. The strategic partnership holds the promise of shaping the future of defense cooperation between these two nations.
.jpg)
.png)
0 Comments