Dear Editor,
Relations between India and France have traditionally been cordial. Both the countries have leveraged bilateral cooperation and exchanges in strategic areas such as defence, counter-terrorism, nuclear energy and space. In August 1962, French establishments in India (Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam) became legally de jure part of the Union of India through a Treaty of Cession signed between the two countries. The then Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru assured to keep Puducherry a centre of French culture and French language.
Today, five decades later, it is imperative for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to carry the legacy forward. French President François Hollande’s visit to India should not be evaluated merely within the parameters of the Rafale deal. Instead, several agreements and memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries should provide an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties in spheres of culture, trade and commerce.
Shreyans Jain
Delhi
