Editorial of the Day (24th Jan): Challenge for Modi-Macron

Context: The President Of France will be the chief guest for Republic Day 2024. Despite facing criticism from the liberal Anglo-Saxon media for the temple project, India continues to enjoy robust high-level engagement from Western leaders, underscoring the complex dynamics at play.

Areas Of Cooperation

• Horizon 2047 Initiative: This comprehensive framework aims to deepen India-France cooperation in various sectors, including defence, space, and nuclear energy, spanning the next 25 years.
• Shared Principle of Strategic Autonomy: Both countries are bonded by their commitment to strategic autonomy, encompassing independent foreign policies and a balanced approach towards the United States.
• Advocacy for a Multipolar World: France has actively championed a multipolar global structure since the late 1990s, seeking to counteract American unilateralism. India shares this vision, concerned about the implications of a unipolar world dominated by the U.S.
• Nuclear Cooperation and Support: France has been a key ally in supporting India’s integration into the international nuclear framework, especially post-India’s 1998 nuclear tests, assisting in mitigating pressures from other United Nations Security Council members.
• Backing India in the UNSC: France has recently shown steadfast support for India in the UNSC, particularly in 2019, by thwarting China’s attempts to bring the Kashmir issue onto the international stage.

Challenges

International Context

• Stalemated war in Ukraine: The stalled counter-offensive raises questions about war and peace in Europe, requiring reconsideration of assumptions and potential escalation.
• Tensions in the Middle East: Recent attacks by Hamas and retaliation by Israel, along with Houthis disrupting Red Sea shipping, increase the risk of broader conflict and impact the global economy.
• Potential Trump return: Fears of political chaos and policy redirection in the US, including opposition to NATO and Ukraine support, pose challenges for Europe and India.

India-specific Challenges

• Managing Trump’s regional and global policies: Trump’s focus on climate change, tariffs, and renegotiating alliances will challenge India’s interests and require careful diplomacy.
• Reconciling “multipolar world” and “strategic autonomy” with Trump’s potential retrenchment: These concepts become less relevant if the US steps back from its global role, forcing India to redefine its foreign policy goals.

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