Photo Exhibition Celebrating France-India Ties

The Indo-French Strategic Partnership, launched on the occasion of President Jacques Chirac’s visit to India on 26 January 1998, embodies the will of both nations to together develop their respective strategic independence. This partnership is built on four historical pillars: defence, civil nuclear energy, space and security. Gradually, cyber and digital technology components were added, as well as a shared commitment to the planet on major global issues such as climate, the environment and healthcare. The relationship is also based on increasingly vibrant human, cultural and economic exchanges.

In 2023, France and India are celebrating 25 years of their strategic partnership. This anniversary will be an opportunity to look back over an exceptional bilateral relationship.

“The French-Indian relationship is a strategic partnership which is continually growing stronger and which makes India a major partner for France in Asia and the Indo-Pacific. It is also a future-oriented partnership. Finally, it is a human partnership and an unbreakable friendship between our two countries.”
Catherine Colonna, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Here’s a virtual stroll of the photo exhibition:

The 35th Infantry Regiment of France opened the parade on India’s national holiday, Republic Day, on 26 January 2016. To celebrate 25 years of the French-Indian strategic partnership, India is guest of honour on 14 July 2023 in France.
New Delhi, India, 26 January 2016

© Roberto Schmidt / AFP

The President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron and his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi have met on numerous occasions to nurture the relationship between France and India.
Château de Chantilly, France, 22 August 2019

© Ghislain Mariette / Presidency of the French Republic

The French-Indian relationship enjoys very close diplomatic links. The French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, has made two bilateral visits to India in a year. Here, she is with her Indian counterpart Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar during her visit in September 2022.
Indian Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, 14 September 2022

© Judith Litvine / MEAE

The cross-collaboration festival Bonjour India - Namaste France is a major cultural cooperation event between the two countries. In the 2022 edition, the company Les Grandes Personnes from the town of Aubervilliers performed at the event.
Pondicherry, India, 2022

© Judith Litvine / MEAE

France and India are working closely and intensively in the field of defence. In 2016, India ordered 36 Rafale fighter aircraft from France. Six Scorpène submarines were built in Mumbai in India as a result of cooperation between French and Indian companies.
Jodhpur air base, India, Exercise Garuda, 3 November 2022

© Morgane Vallé / French Air and Space Force

In 2022, the Night of Ideas event was located at the Open Hand Monument in Chandigarh. This structure, designed by French architect Le Corbusier, is a symbol of peace and reconciliation. It was the first time in 30 years that the monument had been the setting for such a major cultural event. Over 400 people were present, sharing ideas and thoughts.
Chandigarh, India, 14 May 2022

© Jawinder

The French-Indian relationship is first and foremost a human relationship. France and India are committed to strengthening their educational, academic, scientific and economic cooperation. Here, Minister Catherine Colonna is meeting Indian students from Lady Shri Ram College in New Delhi to discuss gender equality and student mobility opportunities to France.
Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi, India, 14 September 2022

© Judith Litvine / MEAE

France and India are both Indo-Pacific States. They are committed to making this strategic space a safe area for transit. In 2023, they conducted joint naval exercises off the coast of Goa.
Goa, India, 20 January 2023

© Terence Wallet / French Navy / Defence

France and India are working together in the fight against climate change.
The Agence Française de Développement (AFD, French Development Agency) is collaborating with the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) to help implement India’s energy transition.
State of Rajasthan, India, 2017

© Yashas Chandra / AFD

We also hold literary dialogue with India. India was Country of Honour at the Paris Book Fair in 2022. Indian readers know and appreciate French literature. In 2023, Annie Ernaux was in India for the New Delhi World Book Fair, where France was the Guest of Honour.
Grand Palais Éphémère, Paris, France, April 2022

© Indian Embassy in France

France and India were founding members of the International Solar Alliance alongside the COP21 in Paris in 2015.
The work of this Alliance aims to speed up the deployment of solar energy and now takes place all over the world.
Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, India, 12 March 2018

© Soazig de la Moissonnière / Presidency of the French Republic