'We have shared quest for strategic autonomy', French Ambassador Thierry Mathou

French Ambassador Thierry Mathou has emphasised on the robust ties between India and France while highlighting the "shared quest for sovereignty and strategic autonomy." Speaking at the French National Day/Bastille Day celebrations on Friday (Jul12), Ambassador Mathou pointed to the "Partnership for Peace and Prosperity" between the two countries that has become the "cornerstone of our joint vision for the Indo-Pacific region."

Strategic autonomy refers to a nation's ability to pursue its own interests and make decisions and this has been a key foreign policy pillar for both India and France. The US Ambassador Eric Garcetti was seen criticising India's policy of Strategic autonomy in the backdrop of PM Modi's Russia visit last week. Garcetti said, "I respect that India likes its strategic autonomy. But in times of conflict, there is no such thing as strategic autonomy".

Add WION as a Preferred Source

The last year has been an intensification of ties between India and France, with several high-level visits.

Last year, PM Modi was the chief guest at the French National Day at the Champs Elysée in Paris, where both nations agreed on the Horizon 2047 Roadmap. This roadmap presents an ambitious vision for bilateral relations over the next 25 years. Earlier this year, French President Emmanuel Macron was the chief guest at India’s 75th Republic Day, making it the sixth time a French leader has graced the grand ceremony on Kartavya Path in New Delhi.

Expressing optimism about the future of France-India relations, Ambassador Mathou said, "The motivation and the diversity of the players involved make me very optimistic about the future of the relations between France and India".

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, who is Sports minister represented India at the national day ceremony.

The collaboration between the two nations will see several high-level agendas over the coming few years. This includes the "Partnership for the Planet" ahead of the Summit for Artificial Intelligence Action in Paris in February 2025, and the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice in June 2025. France and India are co-chairing the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

Ambassador Mathou pointed to his country's commitment to working with India on critical issues such as energy transition, sustainable infrastructure, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) connectivity project and India's National Museum project.

Ahead of the upcoming Paris Olympics, due to start later this month, the French embassy was decked in Olympic colours. Ambassador Mathou explained that the Olympic Games would serve as a platform to promote peace amid ongoing global conflicts.

"The Olympic and Paralympic Games will also be an opportunity to spread messages of peace and fraternity at a time when war is still raging in Ukraine following Russia's brutal aggression, and when we are underlining the urgency of restoring hope for peace and security in the Middle East," he said.

Paris has also expressed its willingness to share its expertise in hosting the Olympics supporting India’s bid to host the Games in 2036. "France will be more than happy to share its experience of hosting the Olympics and Paralympics in view of India’s bid to host the Games in 2036," said Ambassador Mathou.

Historically, France has been supportive of India, and a key defence partner. After the 1998 Nuclear tests by India, France was not part of sanctions against India and was one of the few countries that continued to engage with India in the field of nuclear technology.