The Middle Powers' Congruence: India, France, and Nuclear Technology

Note

This op-ed was reprinted by the Hindu BusinessLine on June 29, 2015, as "There's No Nuking Indo-French Ties."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France in April 2015 — his first visit to a European country — highlighted New Delhi's burgeoning ties with Paris, underlined India's attempts to diversify its defense purchases, and re-emphasized the congruence that has existed between the two countries during most of the Cold War. France has gradually emerged as a formidable technology supplier to India in all three strategic realms: defense, space, and nuclear energy. While it has neither the ability nor the ambition to replace the influence of the United States in the subcontinent, Paris is considered to be a credible player in New Delhi with respect to defense supplies, space technology, and nuclear reactor construction plans. India's vast market and its appetite for advanced strategic technology make it rather attractive to France....

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