Mapping Indo-French synergy in the Indian Ocean Region: towards a calibrated Indo-Pacific

ABSTRACT France's formal accession to the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), underlining its recognition as multilaterally engaged resident power in the Indian Ocean, has been warmly endorsed by India. In the context of shifting geopolitical landscape, a systematic examination of the prospects of Indo-French synergy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), and the wider Indo-Pacific, becomes of immense value. Historically, defense cooperation has been a domain of robust engagement between the two countries. The contours of their relationship now have further prospects of expansion. This paper analyses various facets of growing Indo-French synergy in the IOR, and argues that challenges not withstanding, both are well placed to further broaden and deepen their cooperation in the wider Indo-Pacific.