France

The two nations, which share a troubled history, find themselves in increasing alignment on the pressing strategic questions of the day.

France has continued to remain one of India’s trusted strategic partners, with cooperation extending across many issues.

Pro-independence groups boycotted the vote, COVID-19 further limited participation in the third referendum on the question of independence from France.

France has emerged as one of India’s closest strategic partners and the relationship is likely to bloom further in the coming years. 

France is rarely mentioned as an important actor in the Indo-Pacific, but its vast EEZ in the region underpins its interests.

India has long valued France's partnership on issues ranging from defense and space exploration to civil nuclear power generation.

A second independence referendum, of a possible three, is scheduled for October 4.

The India-France-Australia trilateral is only the latest of the many minilaterals that are taking shape in the Indo-Pacific region.

With a wide range of activities and capabilities, France is making contributions to maritime security throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

With increasing economic and cultural ties, French soft power is expanding in Vietnam.

New rounds of litigation add to the opaque case of fugitive ex-Kazakh minister Mukhtar Ablyazov.