India and France Reciprocal Logistics Pact
India and France signed reciprocal logistics support deal between the respective armed forces of India and France during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India this year.
It was described as a “golden step” by PM Modi in his joint statement with Macron, the deal will facilitate the French and Indian armed forces to receive logistical support, supplies and services from each other during authorized port visits, joint exercises, joint training, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.
While the agreement gives India access to French military bases all over the world on a “reciprocal basis”, particular interest for India are the three French bases in the Indian Ocean which are Reunion Island, Djibouti and Abu Dhabi.
These three bases would give the Indian Navy and the Air Force operational turnaround to the far end of the Indian Ocean, improving its monitoring and surveillance of the region in the backdrop of increased Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).