India and France have enjoyed a close and enduring relationship, rooted in a strategic partnership established in 1998
The Ambassador of France to India, Thierry Mathou, underscored the exceptional nature of the India-France relationship on Wednesday, highlighting plans to deepen exchanges between the two nations. Speaking on the enduring partnership, Mathou stressed the significance of defence and security while emphasising the need to expand cultural and people-to-people connections.
“The relation between India and France is exceptional,” Mathou remarked. “Last year, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of our partnership. The core of our relation is security and defence. The challenge is to put more flesh on the bones of the rest, and the rest is people-to-people exchange and culture as a top priority.”
As part of efforts to enhance cultural ties, Mathou announced a significant French delegation’s participation in the Kerala Literature Festival in 2025. The delegation will comprise 50 novelists and eight publishers, marking a concerted effort to foster cultural exchange and collaboration in literary translation.
“We are looking for a unique opportunity to create new bridges between Kerala and France,” Mathou said. “We will have a huge delegation of 50 novelists coming from France, and eight publishers will specifically come and stay for a few days. This is not only an opportunity to exchange but also to work concretely on translation. It’s key for us to create bridges between our languages and our cultures.”
India and France have enjoyed a close and enduring relationship, rooted in a strategic partnership established in 1998. This alliance was designed to enhance both nations’ strategic independence through strengthened bilateral cooperation. Defence, security, civil nuclear collaboration, and space have long formed the cornerstone of the partnership, which has recently expanded to include emerging areas such as maritime security, cybersecurity, digitalisation, counterterrorism, climate change, and sustainable development.
The partnership’s Indo-Pacific component has gained prominence, reflecting shared interests in ensuring regional stability and open maritime routes. The collaboration now extends to advanced computing and renewable energy, underscoring a mutual commitment to innovation and sustainable growth.
With the focus shifting toward cultural engagement and people-to-people ties, the partnership aims to build on its robust strategic framework. Initiatives like the participation in the Kerala Literature Festival signal a broadening scope, fostering deeper connections between the people of both nations.