Indian Prime Minister Modi posted today: "Extensive talks were held with President Macron in Mumbai. The meeting today is significant as we have elevated India-France relations to a Special Global Strategic Partnership. Our partnership aims to promote global stability and progress. We discussed cooperation in the fields of industry, defense, clean energy, space, and emerging technologies. The two countries will also strengthen connections between startups and small and medium enterprises, promote student and researcher exchanges, and establish new joint innovation centers."
Comments: Modi proactively upgraded India-France relations to a "Special Global Strategic Partnership," with three core purposes: first, to quickly fill India's defense and industrial shortcomings by leveraging France's military, aerospace, and high-tech sectors, thereby strengthening its status as a major power; second, to expand the Western ally circle without over-relying on a single direction, enhancing influence in Indo-Pacific and global affairs; third, to provide substantial support for the domestic economy and employment through industrial, clean energy, and innovation cooperation, thus boosting his political standing.
France's willingness to deeply bind with India is both due to the country's vast market and geopolitical value, as well as to reduce its over-dependence on the US, to enter the Indo-Pacific independently, and expand its strategic influence beyond Europe, which is a key step for France to strengthen its independent strategic presence in the Sino-US-EU-India framework.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1857407023724554/
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