Ajit Karn
Foreign Minister Of France: stated that France will stand alongside India in the coming decades. At the March 3 unveiling of the Villa Swagatam Initiative, she stated that India and France share ties in the security, defence, and numerous other sectors.
“As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between India and France throughout this year, now is the time to demonstrate even greater ambition. And you will soon see what I mean by that, as it will be readily apparent,” Colonna said.
“Over the past quarter-century, we have sided with India for the protection of our respective sovereignty. We are two countries that are proud to be independent, and we share these ties in security and defence, as well as many other areas of cooperation. And we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with India over the coming decades,” she added.
Colonna stated that France is eager to collaborate with new artists, writers, academics, and scientists, whom she emphasised are the foundation of France-India relations. In her remarks at the launch of the Villa Swagatam Initiative, she stated that cultural policy is at the heart of bilateral relations with India.
“As you are aware, cultural policy is fundamental to our diplomacy and our bilateral relationship with India. We are eager to collaborate with new artists, writers, academics, and scientists because you are the backbone of our partnership,” Colonna explained.
“Permit me to recall Andre Malraux, our first Culture Minister. In the early days of the 5th Republic, he expressed it very clearly. In a letter to President Charles de Gaulle prior to a November 1958 trip to India, he stated that the links he wished to develop with India were, and I quote, “in the domain of the mind.” Therefore, let us keep his words in mind. She added that he had already envisioned a “French season” in India as part of “an organised, coordinated, and continuous cultural action.”
Foreign Minister Of France Catherine Colonna stated that this vision has guided them since then. In her address, she stated, “Since then, this vision has guided us. By “us,” I mean the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the French Embassy, its French Institute, our network of 15 Alliances Francaises throughout India, and all of our Indian partners whom we have the pleasure and honour of hosting today.”
Catherine Colonna stated that the March 2018 visit to India by French President Emmanuel Macron boosted the vitality of cultural partnerships. She emphasised that India and France’s collaboration in science, the arts, student mobility, and the humanities is already one of the strongest ties between the two countries.
“The March 2018 State visit of President Emmanuel Macron greatly boosted the vitality of our cultural partnerships. The reciprocal invitations to the Paris Book Fair and New Delhi Book Fair were decided on this occasion, and I am delighted that French literature has been celebrated with enthusiasm these past days in New Delhi at the Book Fair. Catherine Colonna stated that our cooperation in science, the arts, student mobility, and the humanities is already one of the strongest ties between our two nations.
Foreign Minister Of France stated that France has introduced a “French Touch” to Indian audiences in a variety of fields, including literature, film, architecture, heritage preservation, museology, visual arts, performing arts, textiles, and gastronomy. She emphasised that the two nations share a vision for the future of technology.
“France and India are two innovative countries that share a vision of new technologies centred on citizen rights, the reduction of inequalities, and sustainable development. Colonna stated that “we will continue to work together to promote this vision and jointly develop the research partnerships and technologies that serve as the foundation for the strategic independence of our two nations.”
Colonna remarked that the people-to-people interactions between two nations are structural and strategic. She remarked that France is interested in participating in the new National Museum that Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to establish in New Delhi.
“Our people-to-people exchanges are also strategic and merit ambitious and structural projects. This is why we are more committed than ever to achieving President Macron’s goal of 20,000 Indian students in France. You and I are aware that the pandemic prevented us from reaching that goal earlier, but now that it has hopefully passed, we want to reach it as soon as possible.
“Therefore, we have recently established an Indo-French health campus for the Indo-Pacific, not only for France and India, but also for the entire region. And because of this, we are willing to participate in the new National Museum that Prime Minister Modi wishes to construct in New Delhi. This is also a major concept behind Villa Swagatam, she continued.
She stated that sixteen residences across India, from north to south and east to west, have agreed to participate in the Villa Swagatam project, which was presented just a minute ago.
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She continued, “By participating in Villa Swagatam, you join a global network of residencies supported by France, such as Villa Albertine in the United States, Villa Kujoyama in Japan, Casa Velazquez in Spain, or Villa Medicis and the Nouveau Grand Tour in Italy. Culture and cooperation flourish when opportunities for dialogue, exchange, and cross-pollination are available.”
