Modi-Hollande script new bilateral chapter
It would be unfair to evaluate French President François Hollande's visit to India within the parameters of the Rafale deal which has not been conclusively concluded. The pact to purchase 36 Rafale fighter jets from France is as good as done, with an inter-governmental agreement signed between the two nations for the purpose during Mr Hollande's trip. The financial aspects are being studied, and once they are finalised, the deal will stand wrapped up. The pricing aspect is indisputably complex, given that India is buying the fighter aircraft off-the-shelf; the announcement had been made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi nearly nine months ago. There was no point in hurrying through the process because haste could lead to needless insinuations in coming months and years.
The Indian Air Force has waited for a long while for the new-generation fighter planes, and a bit more delay should be acceptable, more so because it is not mala fide. Moreover, both heads of Government have clearly stated that the deal to purchase the Rafale aircraft is on the right track. Meanwhile, there is a lot that has been achieved by Mr Hollande's visit. The first is that it has even more strongly than before bonded the two nations together. Given that the French President was the guest at the Republic Day function following the tragic terror attack in Paris, the message New Delhi sent was unambiguous: India stands by France in its fight against terror.
This sentiment was amply reciprocated by Mr Hollande when he said that India had the right to demand action from Pakistan against elements who masterminded the Pathankot terror strike. A joint statement announcing bilateral cooperation on counter-terror, including intelligence gathering and sharing, signifies the determination of both France and India to join hands in fighting the menace of terrorism. More than a dozen agreements were inked during the visit in the sectors of railways, nuclear reactors, energy, as well as space technology. These can take India-France collaboration to a new and welcome high.
With France committing nearly Rs2,200 crore over the next five years for the promotion of global solar power as part of the International Solar Alliance — an initiative undertaken jointly by that country and India — there is hope that solar energy will get a fresh boost in this country and help reduce its dependency on fossil fuel. This initiative is arguably the most important outcome of Mr Hollande's visit because its impact will not be limited to India and France, but cover the world too; the International Solar Alliance hopes to engage more than 120 nations in the venture.
Besides, it is a natural follow-through to the commitments countries made at the climate summit held in Paris to reduce emission levels. Also, interestingly, France has pitched in to boost Prime Minister Modi's Make in India campaign, with French major Alsthom signing a deal to manufacture 800 high horsepower locomotives here for Indian Railways. Growing proximity between the two countries is good news for India for another reason: France is a dependable gateway for India to the European Union, and along with Germany, it can strengthen Indian presence not just diplomatically but also in the sphere of trade and commerce in the region.