Abstract
ELECTRONIC JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES - Volume 2, Special Issue II, April 2021
Pages: 31-50
India’s Relations with France and UK in the Indo-Pacific
Rishi Athreya
Category:Strategic Studies
Abstract:
India’s maritime domain extends to the Indo-Pacific defined as stretching from the Indian Ocean to the Western Pacific. Many major powers including USA, China and Russia are active in the region. Other NATO middle powers like France and UK too are involved in the Indo-Pacific. India has maritime diplomacy with these two countries. India has long followed a foreign policy of strategic autonomy. There is a joint military doctrine as also doctrines and strategies by individual forces. France has several policy documents addressing the Indo-Pacific. It has a direct presence in the region, both in the Indian Ocean and Pacific. The UK too has policy documents. There is scope for India to be a net security collaborator for both countries in their Indo-Pacific operations. Other Commonwealth countries especially Australia also has an important role. The Northern and Southern Hemisphere Quads could move towards a Pacific Group of Seven.
Keywords: Indo-Pacific, France, UK, Maritime, Commonwealth, Quad, Persian Gulf, South China Sea, Pacific
References:
Ashraf, A. (2020). Deterrence and Diplomacy . In F. A. (Ed.), Deterrence. Advanced Sciences and Technologies for Security Application.
Athreya, R. (2020). Maritime Diplomacy: Furthering India's Interests in the IOR. In P. Chauhan, R. S. Vasan, R. Athreya, & R. V. P. Chauhan (Ed.), Securing India's Maritime Neighbourhood: Challenges and Opportunities (pp. 45-64). National Maritime Foundation.
Athreya, R. (2020a, June 28). Galwan Incident: Larger Implications for Sino-India Relations. Retrieved from Asia Centre Bangalore: https://asiacentrebangalore.org/2020/06/29/galwan-incident-larger-implications-for-sino-india-relations/
Athreya, R. (2020b, Oct Dec). Ex MALABAR 2020: Implications for India-Australia Ties. Defence and Diplomacy, 10(1), 61-76.
Behal, A. (2018, Aug 16). India and France: Towards a new maritime partnership. Retrieved from Observer Research Foundation: https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/43376-india-and-france-towards-a-new-maritime-partnership/
Brewster, D. (2016). Australia, India and the United States: The Challenges of forging new alignments in the Indo-Pacific . University of Sydney . United States Studies Centre .
Brewster, D. (2018). India and China at Sea: Competition for Naval Dominance in the Indian Ocean. SADF.
Chauhan, P. (2020). Foreword. In P. Chauhan, R. S. Vasan, & R. Athreya, Securing India's Maritime Neighbourhood: Challenges and Opportunities. Vij Books.
Chhibber, A. (2017). China’s belt and road initiative and India’s options: Cooperative competition. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 1(2).
Combined Maritime Forces. (2020). Combined Maritime Forces. Retrieved from CMF: https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/
Commonwealth Secretariat . (2018). The Connectivity Agenda. Retrieved from Commonwealth Secretariat: https://thecommonwealth.org/connectivity-agenda
Commonwealth Secretariat. (2018). The Commonwealth Blue Charter. Commonwealth Secretariat. Retrieved from https://bluecharter.thecommonwealth.org/
Dave, A. (2020, May 5). Integrated Review: The UK’s Approach to India. Retrieved from Royal United Services Institution : https://rusi.org/commentary/integrated-review-uks-approach-india
Desbonnets, M. (2020, May 20). France and Make in India and the Indo-Pacific Connect. Retrieved from National Maritime Foundation : https://maritimeindia.org/france-make-in-india-and-the-indo-pacific-connect/
Development Concepts and Doctrine Centre. (2017). UK Maritime Power. Ministry of Defence.
DFAT. (2020, June 5). Joint Statement on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Republic of India and Australia. Retrieved from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/india/Pages/joint-statement-comprehensive-strategic-partnership-between-republic-india-and-australia
Embassy of India, Paris. (2020). Brief on India-France Bilateral Relations. Retrieved from Embassy of India, Paris: https://www.eoiparis.gov.in/page/bilateral-brief/
Embassy of India, Paris. (2020). Brief on India-France Bilateral Relations. Retrieved from Embassy of India : https://www.eoiparis.gov.in/page/bilateral-brief/
EU Naval Force-Somalia. (2020). Op ATALANTA. Retrieved from EU Naval Force-Somalia: https://eunavfor.eu/mission/
France Diplomacy. (2020, Dec 17). Indian Ocean - France’s accession to the Indian Ocean Rim Association. Retrieved from France Diplomacy: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/africa/france-in-the-south-west-indian-ocean/article/indian-ocean-france-s-accession-to-the-indian-ocean-rim-association-17-12-20
French Embassy in Delhi. (2021, Feb 20). French and India Air Forces hold joint exercise in Jodhpur . Retrieved from French Embassy in New Delhi: https://in.ambafrance.org/French-and-India-Air-Forces-hold-joint-exercises-in-Jodphur
French Embassy in India. (2020, Sept 11). A French Liaison Officer at the Indian Navy's Information Fusion Center. French Embassy in India. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkYhRCKjpGk
French Embassy in New Delhi. (2019, July 12). Indo-French Air Exercise “Garuda VI”. Retrieved from French Embassy in India: https://in.ambafrance.org/Indo-French-Air-Exercise-Garuda-VI
French Republic. (2017). Defence and National Security Strategic Review. French Republic .
Government of India. (2018, June 1). Prime Minister’s Keynote Address at Shangri La Dialogue. Retrieved from Ministry of External Affairs: https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/29943/Prime+Ministers+Keynote+Address+at+Shangri+La+Dialogue+June+01+2018
Government of India. (2019, 11 4). Transcript of Media Briefing by Secretary (East) during PM's visit to Thailand. Retrieved from Ministry of External Affairs : https://www.mea.gov.in/media-briefings.htm?dtl/32007/Transcript_of_Media_Briefing_by_Secretary_East_during_PMs_visit_to_Thailand_November_04_2019
Grare, F. (2020, Oct 21). France, the Other Indo-Pacific Power. Retrieved from Carnegie Endowment: https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/10/21/france-other-indo-pacific-power-pub-83000
Hacioglu, A. U. (2020). The case for NATO’s global partnership with India. NDC Policy Brief , NATO Defense College, Research Division.
Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff. (2017). Joint Doctrine of the Indian Armed Forces. HQ IDS.
Hemmings, J. (2019, Feb 6). Charting Britain’s Moves in the South China Sea. Retrieved from RUSI: https://rusi.org/commentary/charting-britain%E2%80%99s-moves-south-china-sea
Hemmings, J., & Rogers, J. (2020). Britian and the Quadrilateral. Journal of Indo Pacific Affairs, 3(5), 118-130.
HM Government. (2021). Global Britian in a competitive age. HMG.
Indian Air Force. (2012). Basic Doctrine of the Indian Air Force. Indian Air Force.
Indian Air Force. (2020, Feb 26). Joint IAF - RAF EX Indradhanush - V 2020. Retrieved from Ministry of Defence: https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=199574
Indian Air Force. (2021, March 30). Press Release Ex DESERT FLAG. Retrieved from Indian Air Force: https://indianairforce.nic.in/content/press-release-exercise-desert-flag-vi
Indian Navy. (2007). Freedom to use the Seas. Indian Navy.
Indian Navy. (2009). Indian Maritime Doctrine. Indian Navy.
Indian Navy. (2015). Indian Maritime Doctrine. Indian Navy.
Indian Navy. (2016). Ensuring Secure Seas. New Delhi: Indian Navy.
Indian Navy. (2017). IMMSAREX. Retrieved from Indian Navy: https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/immsarex
Indian Navy. (2018). Information Fusion Centre- Indian Ocean Region . Retrieved from Indian Navy: https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/ifc-ior/about-us.html
Indian Navy. (2019, Dec 1). Exercise Konkan 16. Retrieved from Indian Navy : https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/exercise-konkan-16
Indian Navy. (2019). Indian and French Navies Conduct Varuna 19.1 Bilateral Exercise Off Goa Coast. Retrieved from Indian Navy: https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/22661
Indian Ocean Commission. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.commissionoceanindien.org/
IORA. (2021, April 1). IORA. Retrieved from IORA: https://www.iora.int/en
Jaishankar, D. (2016). India's Military Diplomacy. In S. SIngh, P. Das, S. Singh, & P. Das (Eds.), Defence Primer: India at 75 (pp. 18-25). Observer Research Foundation.
Johnson, B. (2016). IISS Manama Dialogue Keynote Address. Manama Dialogue . IISS. Retrieved from https://www.iiss.org/events/manama-dialogue/manama-dialogue-2016
Khilnani, S., Kumar, R., Mehta, P. B., Menon, P., Nilekani, N., Raghavan, S., . . . Varadarajan, S. (2012). NonAlignment 2.0: A Foreign and Strategic Policy for India in the Twenty First Century. Centre for Policy Research .
Khurana, G. (2018). Multilateral Structures in the Indian Ocean: Review and Way Ahead . Maritime Affairs, 14, 11-23.
Khurana, G. S. (2019). Multilateral Strucutres in the Indian Ocean: Review and Way Ahead. Maritime Affairs, 14(1), 11-23.
Ladwig, W. C. (2021, Jan 8). Are the UK and India Finally Getting Serious About Each Other? Retrieved from RUSI: https://rusi.org/commentary/are-uk-and-india-finally-getting-serious-about-each-other
Malik, V. (2018 ). India's Military Conflicts and Diplomacy . Harper Collins .
Mindef Singapore. (2020, Nov 27). FPDA Defence Ministers' Joint Statement on Continued Commitment to the FPDA. Retrieved from Mindef Singapore: https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2020/November/27nov20_fs
Ministere Des Armees. (2019). France and Security in the Indo-Pacific. Government of France.
Ministere Des Armees. (2019a). France's Defence Strategy in the Indo-Pacific. Ministere Des Armees.
Ministry of Defence . (2021, Feb 3). UK commits to deeper defence and security cooperation with Japan. Retrieved from UK Government: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-commits-to-deeper-defence-and-security-cooperation-with-japan
Ministry of Defence. (2019, Feb 21). UK and Oman sign historic Joint Defence Agreement. Retrieved from UK Government: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-and-oman-sign-historic-joint-defence-agreement
Ministry of Defence. (2020, Sept 12). Defence Secretary announces investment in strategic Omani port. Retrieved from UK Government : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-secretary-announces-investment-in-strategic-omani-port
Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. (2019b). French Strategy in the Indo-Pacific. Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Ministry of External Affairs . (2018, March 10). Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. Retrieved from Ministry of External Affairs: https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/29598/Joint+Strategic+Vision+of+IndiaFrance+Cooperation+in+the+Indian+Ocean+Region+New+Delhi+10+March+2018
Ministry of External Affairs. (2020a, Sept 9). 1st Senior Officials’ India-France-Australia Trilateral Dialogue. Retrieved from Minsitry of External Affairs: https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/32950/1st+Senior+Officials+IndiaFranceAustralia+Trilateral+Dialogue
Ministry of External Affairs. (2021, Jan 9). India and France hold Strategic Dialogue. Retrieved from Ministry of External Affairs: https://mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/33376/India_and_France_hold_Strategic_Dialogue
Ministry of External Affairs. (2021, March 12). Quad Leaders’ Joint Statement: “The Spirit of the Quad”. Retrieved from Government of India: https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/33620/Quad+Leaders+Joint+Statement+The+Spirit+of+the+Quad
NATO Expert Group. (2020). NATO 2030: united for a new era. NATO.
Observer Research Foundation. (2021, Feb 12). The India-Japan-France trilateral cooperation to tackle the rising Chinese hegemony. Retrieved from Observer Research Foundation: https://www.orfonline.org/research/the-india-japan-france-trilateral-cooperation-to-tackle-the-rising-chinese-hegemony/
Padmaja, G. (2017, Aug 21). India and Mauritius: Cooperating to ensure collective security. Retrieved from National Maritime Foundation : https://maritimeindia.org/india-and-mauritius-cooperating-to-ensure-collective-maritime-security/
Padmaja, G. (2018). Revisiting ‘SAGAR’ – India’s Template for Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region . National Maritime Foundation .
Pajon, C. (2020, 12). France’s Indo- Pacific Strategy. Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, 3(5), 165-178.
Pandey, P. (2020, Oct 2). India-France-Australia: Emerging Trilateral in the Indo-Pacific. Retrieved from Indian Council for World Affairs: https://www.icwa.in/show_content.php?lang=1&level=3&ls_id=5369&lid=3796
Pant, H. V., & Krishna, M. S. (2020, Dec 19). Lessons from 2020 — Next steps for the France-India partnership. Retrieved from ORF: https://www.orfonline.org/research/lessons-2020-next-steps-france-india-partnership/
Parmar, S. (2014). Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean an Indian Perspective. Journal of Defence Studies, 8(1), 49-63.
Pollock, J. (2020, Oct 19). India and France: From Strategic Partners to Strategic Alliance . Retrieved from South Asian Voices: https://southasianvoices.org/india-and-france-from-strategic-partners-to-a-strategic-alliance/
Raghavan, P. (2019, Spring). India's Interest in the Indo-Pacific. Scholar Warrior, 14-18.
Rajagopalan, R. P. (2021, March 14 ). A Proactive Indian Navy: Upcoming Naval Exercises. Retrieved from Observer Research Foundation : https://www.orfonline.org/research/a-proactive-indian-navy-upcoming-naval-exercises/
Rajagopalan, R. P. (2021, March 13). A Proactive Indian Navy: Upcoming Naval Exercises. Retrieved from ORF: https://www.orfonline.org/research/a-proactive-indian-navy-upcoming-naval-exercises/
Ranganathan, C. (2020). India's Regional Alliances in the Indo-Pacific. In P. Chauhan, R. S. Vasan, R. Athreya, & R. V. P.Chauhan (Ed.), Securing India's Maritime Neighbourhood: Challenges and Opportunities (pp. 31-40). National Maritime Foundation.
Rogers, J. (2020, Dec 15). Britain tilts towards the Indo-Pacific. Retrieved from ASPI The Strategist: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/britain-tilts-towards-the-indo-pacific/
Royal Air Force. (2020, Feb 24). RAF on Exercise Indradhanush. Retrieved from Royal Air Force : https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/raf-on-exercise-indradhanush/
Royal Australian Navy. (2021). Indian Ocean Naval Symposium. Retrieved from Royal Australian Navy: https://www.navy.gov.au/ions
Royal Navy . (2018, April 6). New Royal Navy Operations Hub opens in Middle East . Retrieved from Ministry of Defence : https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2018/april/06/180406-new-royal-navy-operations-hub-opens-in-gulf
Royal Navy . (2021, Jan 1). Op KIPION . Retrieved from Royal Navy: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/operations/red-sea-and-gulf/operation-kipion
Royal Navy. (2019, Aug 15). British and Indian Navies Join Forces in Channel. Retrieved from Royal Navy: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2019/august/15/190815-british-and-indian-navies-join-forces-in-channel
Royal Navy. (2021, March 16). Royal Navy Sharpens it's skills in key Gulf Exercise. Retrieved from Ministry of Defence : https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2021/march/16/20210316-khunjar-hadd
Roy-Chaudhury, R. (2020, Feb 5). Boosting India-UK defence and military ties: new thinking and emerging opportunities. Retrieved from IISS: https://www.iiss.org/blogs/analysis/2020/02/sasia-india-uk-defence-and-military-ties
Sarangi, S. (2020). Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI): India’s Indo-Pacific concept translated into action. Retrieved from United Services Institution of India : https://usiofindia.org/publication/cs3-strategic-perspectives/indo-pacific-oceans-initiative-ipoi-indias-indo-pacific-concept-translated-into-action/
Scott, D. (2019). India and the Indo-Pacific Discourse. In D. Scott, & H. Pant (Ed.), New Directions in India's Foreign Policy (pp. 195-214). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press .
Scott, D. (2019a). France’s “Indo-Pacific” strategy: regional power projection. Journal of Military and Strategic Studies, 19(4), 76-103.
Stansfield, G., & Kelly, S. (2013). A Return to East of Suez. Briefing Paper , RUSI.
Taneja, K. (2021, Jan 23). The India and France bonhomie has potential for expansion with the Gulf. Retrieved from ORF: https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/india-france-bonhomie-potential-expansion-gulf/
Thomas, R. (2019, Nov 26). Military Logistics Agreements: Wind in the Sails for Indian Navy. Retrieved from IDSA: https://idsa.in/idsacomments/military-logistics-agreements-rthomas-261119
Upadhyaya, S. (2018). Maritime Security Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region: Assessment of India’s Maritime Strategy to be the Regional “Net Security Provider”,. Wollongong: University of Wollongong.
Upadhyaya, S. (2018). Maritime Security Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region: Assessment of India’s Maritime Strategy to be the Regional “Net Security Provider”,. University of Wollongong.
Vasan, R. S. (2018). Indian Navy's CAMPING . Retrieved from National Maritime Foundation.
Vasan, R. S. (2018, March 8). The French Connection in the Indian Ocean. Retrieved from Chennai Centre for China Studies: https://www.c3sindia.org/defence-security/the-french-connection-in-the-indian-ocean-by-commodore-r-seshadri-vasan-in-retd/
World Health Organisation. (2020, July 24). COVAX. Retrieved from World Health Organisation: https://www.who.int/initiatives/act-accelerator/covax