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The relationship between France and India is deeply rooted in our common history. From these historical relations was born a strategic partnership the French President stated in February 2013 in Mumbai. This was the need which he wanted to bring out that France and India should share a particular link based on common history. Indeed, from the first half of the 17th century, France has been one of the major European powers trying to establish colonies in India. The French East India Company established its first commercial post on Indian territory in 1719. The French possessed 510 km2 of Indian land till 954.

The French has always identified common interest with India in terms of Defence, internal security and nuclear energy. This vision has largely influenced in shaping the strategic partnership. The cooperation in Defence has always been seen as a priority for the French government. For our purpose, I have discussed Indo-French cooperation by dividing it into two phases: pre 1991 and post 1991 period.