At this time, a very shocking news is coming out from the international diplomacy and defense corridors which will shake the strategic interests of India. On one hand, the defense relations between India and France, the deal of state-of-the-art Rafale fighter planes and the strategic partnership are being considered as the strongest relationship in the world, while on the other hand, the defense contacts being quietly increased by France with Pakistan have created a stir in New Delhi. According to reports, a high-level secret meeting has recently been held between the French military leadership and Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir. After this incident came to light, the biggest question among defense analysts has become that what kind of new defense relationship or secret khichdi is France, which is called India's evergreen and trustworthy friend, cooking with the Pakistani Army. Let us take an in-depth review of this high-profile diplomatic drama, defense equations and its geopolitical implications. Golden Age of Historic Defense Deals between India and France There is no doubt that diplomatic and defense relations between India and France have reached unprecedented heights in the last few years. The personal and strategic rapport between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the French leadership has led to historic agreements in the field of Rafale aircraft, submarines and state-of-the-art jet engine technology for the Indian Air Force and Navy. France has always considered India a reliable and primary strategic partner, continuously supporting the Make in India initiative and defense self-reliance. Amidst such a strong and unbreakable trust relationship, when there is news of any military cooperation or meeting from Paris with Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir, then naturally the Indian defense establishment and strategists raise their eyebrows as to what new game Paris is playing on this chessboard of diplomacy. The bitter truth about General Asim Munir's trip to France and secret meetings: Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir often visits the military officers and defense companies of western countries during his visits to western countries so that he can somehow get modern weapons and financial help for his impoverished army. This meeting of Pakistani military leadership with a technologically advanced country like France indicates that Pakistan is exploring new options in western countries for its defense needs. However, it is imperative for a democratic and responsible country like France to think about what kind of defense relations it is building with the army of a country which has been a global center of terrorism and whose own officers are engaged in buying and selling arms to increase their power even in times of economic distress. This information revealed by the French Defense Ministry and diplomatic sources has created a wave of concern in the defense circles of India. Is France playing some big diplomatic game on two boats? In international politics, no country runs relations only on the basis of emotions, rather national interest and business benefits are paramount there. France is a major arms exporter in the world, and its defense companies want to sell more of their weapons in the global market. Experts believe that this stance of France could be a part of dual diplomacy, where on one hand it wants to continue mega defense projects worth billions of dollars with India, while on the other hand it wants to keep its trade doors open with other countries through small defense components, technical maintenance or bilateral negotiations. But this situation cannot be comfortable at all for a strategic partner like India, because India's policy on the issue of national security and terrorism has always been of zero tolerance. New Delhi's tough stance and future diplomatic equations with France are keeping a very close watch on all these activities at the level of the Indian External Affairs Ministry and the National Security Advisor (NSA). India has many times in the past given a clear message to the Western countries that any kind of military assistance or diplomatic attention given by them to Pakistan has a direct impact on the regional security of South Asia. India's relations with France are so deep that New Delhi has every ability to strongly raise this issue with Paris through appropriate diplomatic channels. It will be very interesting to see what impact this secret meeting has in the upcoming high-level meetings between India and France in the coming days, and whether France curbs these questionable defense contacts with Pakistan, giving priority to the interests of India, its most trusted Asian partner.
