Context:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-nation tour of Germany, France and Denmark is a fine example of deft timing and substance in conducting diplomacy with a region that holds great strategic and economic significance for India.
This was Modi’s first foreign visit in 2022 and it took place against the backdrop of the continuing war in Ukraine that has rent asunder European security paradigms.
India’s well-considered position against protracted war, its call for immediate cessation of hostilities and advocacy of a peaceful resolution of the dispute stand in contrast to the trans-Atlantic cacophony on sanctioning Russia as well as the West’s vicarious military response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
What was billed a simple “tete-a tete” during a “working visit” turned out to be a comprehensive discussion on bilateral, regional and international issues.
key highlights of the PM tour:
- The India and Germany, two countries’ partnership has been reaffirmed in Germany.
- In addition, Germany has announced a €10 billion investment in bilateral collaboration.
- India and Germany also disclosed the details of their next phase of cooperation. Germany has described India as its “Central Partner” in Asia, with strong cooperation expected to continue.
- In Copenhagen, PM Modi attended the 2nd Edition of India-Nordic Summit with leaders of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland.
- The Prime Minister held talks with French President in Paris, who was recently re-elected as president.
- Both sides discussed issues of Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific Region, Afghanistan and agreed to extend the strategic cooperation in areas of defence, space, nuclear energy and climate change.
- Climate change was another key issue during the stopovers in Berlin and Copenhagen.
- France and India, that worked closely for the success of the Paris climate accord, and co-founded the International Solar Alliance in 2015, are ready to take it to the next level setting up industrial partnerships to build integrated supply chains in solar energy production for markets in Europe and Asia.
- There was also a bilateral strategic dialogue on space issues, which will build on their six-decade-long partnership in the field of space a contested area now with China, Russia and the U.S. stepping up hostilities in this frontier.
India–France Joint Statement:
- India and France have been strategic partners since 1998. The strategic partnership is anchored on the solid bedrock of deep and consistent mutual trust, abiding faith in strategic autonomy, unwavering commitment to international law; and belief in a multipolar world shaped by reformed and effective multilateralism.
- Both are committed to the shared values of democracy, fundamental freedoms, rule of law and respect for human rights.
- In a post-pandemic word, facing global geopolitical challenges, India and France reaffirmed their commitment to prepare for the future together by further deepening their cooperation, expanding it in new domains to meet emerging challenges and broadening their international partnership.
- The mutual interest in arts and culture has significantly grown, and artists from our two countries are more and more eager to collaborate around projects such as festivals and residences.
- The 75th anniversary of the independence of India is being celebrated since March 2022 through the Bonjour India festival, with a series of events throughout India.
- For its part, India is organizing the Namaste France festival. India was the Guest of Honour at the Paris Book Festival 2022 and France will be the Guest of Honour at the next New Delhi World Book Fair.
Indian Ambitious export target of $400 billion in FY2022:
India also boasts the world’s fastest growing start-up ecosystem in the world. It is “raining unicorns” in India as some have described it.
Having achieved an ambitious export target of $400 billion in FY2022, the Indian economy is now well placed to build stronger and enduring economic partnerships, including in innovation, with European partners.
It is little wonder that the agreements between the Indian prime minister and his European counterparts covered a panoply of issues ranging from climate change and the Blue Economy to renewables, and from defence and space to fisheries and the Arctic.
As the Indian prime minister wound his way to Denmark, renewable energy and the environment remained on the agenda, but there were also other areas of interest such as agriculture, food processing, smart urban development and shipping.
Modi particularly focused on the three “Ts” in Denmark — trade, technology and talent, the last being a reference to Denmark’s emergence as a big market for India’s human resources.
Regarding Russiam-Ukraine war:
India has chosen to follow the middle path of peace and non-violence, and this stand is now better appreciated even by the doubting Thomases.
It is indeed an emphatic vindication of Modi’s confident foreign policy that he should be so warmly received by all European leaders.
In a world increasingly defined by geostrategic shifts, ideological rivalry and fractured power, Modi’s India has emerged as an important global player with credibility on all sides.
Way Forward on Indian part towards EU countries:
While India has been in an uncomfortable position since the Russia-Ukraine war began and has continued to not condemn Russia for any of its actions so far, there seems to be a level of comprehension by European countries on India’s stance.
India should keep looking for a global climate that supports its economic progress.
It should seek to ensure that the world recognizes its contribution to humanity as a civilization.
Individual European countries, particularly Germany and France, need to concentrate on their own strategic and commercial objectives, including sales of defence equipment.
Conclusion:
Both India and EU members should improve their understanding of one another’s security concerns.
The European Union, for example, is concerned about Russian aggression in Europe. India is concerned about Chinese aggression in Asia as well.
The “Middle Powers,” such as France, Germany, and India, should seek policy space for themselves rather than being compelled to take positions by the “Big Powers,” the US, China, and Russia.
