1. Home
2. Editorial

Transcending old frameworks

Young Bites. Dated: 3/22/2018 11:51:43 AM

Categorically, the extroverted prospect for India’s strategic partnership with France unveiled in Delhi on Saturday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the visiting President, Emmanuel Macron, underscore the mounting significance of middle power coalitions that outdo the customary alliance frameworks and new-fangled geopolitical fault lines. Amidst America’s uncertain peripheral orientation and China’s effort to reform the global order, second-tier powers like India and France seek a greater say in world affairs throughout more vigorous cooperation. In that process, they are breaking down the old stereotypes of East versus West and North versus South. In taking the lead on mitigating climate change, through the International Solar Alliance, India and France are demonstrating their potential for shared global leadership. France, a long standing military ally of the United States, is also looking beyond NATO to forge security partnerships with Asian democracies like India. Delhi, in turn, appreciates that its expedition for a larger role in the world can’t be originated in exclusive security partnerships with either Russia or America. Nor does it want to cede Asia and the world to the severity of a new bipolar framework between the US and China. By taking more responsibilities in partnership with each other, Delhi and Paris improve their relative national positions in a changing world.The Indo-Pacific has emerged as the new arena for collaboration between Delhi and Paris. Although India’s strategic partnership with France is the oldest and dates back to the late 1990s, it lacked a regional anchor. The spotlight was mostly on expanding two-sided defence and high technical cooperation. With their extended standing national compensation in the Indo-Pacific threatened by the worldwide power shift, they have preferred to band together. Their collective maritime vision seeks to uphold the law of the sea in the Indian Ocean, stop the kind of military unilateralism that has come to grip the Western Pacific, secure the sea lines of communication, respond to humanitarian disaster and encourage sustainable blue economy. To pursue these objectives, Delhi and Paris have decided on greater political coordination in the region, mutual logistical support and seamless interoperability between their security forces. This collaboration will not be exclusive but will include engagement with other partners — big and small — in the littoral. Beyond their endeavor to sway the high politics of the Indo-Pacific, Delhi and Paris have agreed to address a huge gap in the bilateral relationship — the limited contact among the peoples of the two countries. Macron has promised to make France a major intention for Indian students, engineers, scientists and artists. At a time when borders are closing elsewhere in the world, this is a huge opportunity for the new generation of globalising Indians. Macron’s unbridled eagerness for India connects with his effort to rejuvenate France and revitalise Europe. It is upto Delhi to make the best of this moment.