Admiral Edouard Guillaud, Chief of Defence Staff, France in a press conference at New Delhi said that his first assessment is that the world is currently undergoing a tremendous change, at a fast pace.
- It has become more and more unstable and unpredictable.
- New threats have increased, such as terrorism and radical fundamentalism, failed states, nuclear and ballistic proliferation, cyber threat, …
- Global challenges, such as environment, climate change, energy, food, or water are very difficult to master…
- With the emergence of new powers, our world has become multipolar. Its centre of gravity is moving towards Asia and the international order generated by World War II is now questioned.
These factors were taken into account to define our defence policy which is based on a few major orientations:
– The preservation of our national independence. France must be free to decide on its own fate. This is what we call strategic autonomy.
– The development of a shared European strategic ambition, alongside our transatlantic link. It’s a real challenge! We cannot, we must not escape it!
– The adaptation of our defence and national security to those new threats and of course, compliance with our international obligations.
– Last but not least, promotion of world governance. We have always stated that unilateral use of force is the shortest way to fail. Obtaining a UN resolution is the rule. This is why we plead for a reform of the UN Security Council in order to strengthen its legitimacy. For the very same reason, we strongly support the admission of India as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Our Defence and National Security strategy is therefore based on five major strategic functions which guarantee our strategic autonomy:
- Deterrence: “The life insurance of our nation” in the strict framework of selfdefence. It includes a dyad: sub marine based and air launched.
- Intelligence and anticipation which are now of the utmost importance, as they guarantee our freedom of decision. To this end, we develop space based observation.
- Protection of population and territory: it is at the heart of a strategy which also takes into account new threats, should they be cyber, terrorist, or technological.
- Prevention of conflicts and force engagement: our capabilities are focused on areas where our strategic interests as well as those of our allies or those of the international community might be most vulnerable. I am now referring, for instance, to the crisis ark ranging from the Atlantic Ocean to the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean.
In this context, India and France face common challenges.
The first one is the Indian Ocean.
This ocean has always been of strategic value.
First, a geographic value:
It is the third largest ocean in the world connecting Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Antarctic, at the crossroads of three major strategic routes through Bab El Mandeb, Ormuz and Malacca.
Second, it has an economic value.
Half of the world’s maritime trade -including about 20% of the world’s energetic resourcestransits through the Indian Ocean. About 40% of the off-shore oil production is extracted in the area.
Contrary to the Atlantic or to the Pacific, more than three quarters of the commercial traffic transiting through the Indian Ocean are generated by non-regional countries.
These economic lanes are vital for the world; it’s everybody’s interest to guarantee the stability of this region.
Therefore, the Indian Ocean has a major security value.
As we all know, the underlying instability in the Middle East, the rise of Islamic terrorism in the area and the burst of maritime piracy are as many risk factors and threat.
Regarding piracy for instance, we would like to improve international co-operation in order to share a global strategy, including not only naval operations but also nation building solutions in a stable international legal framework.
We consider that adopting and implementing such a strategy is urgent.
Somali pirates extend their activities, close to the limit of Indian territorial waters and at the convergence of two major maritime routes where, in the present state of force generation, coalitions cannot deploy sufficient assets.
India launched the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, a founding instrument for the cooperation of bordering nations.
We fully support such an initiative and we highly value the consensus the symposium has built on piracy, maritime terrorism, illegal fishing, trafficking and environmental damages.
Our second common challenge is related with Afghanistan
As you know, we are engaged in ISAF, a NATO led operation under UN mandate. Within Regional Command – East, we have deployed a 4000 men Task Force, east of Kabul, in Surobi-Kapisa district.
There, we fight a counter-insurgency war.
Our objective is to create the conditions for the Afghan people to be responsible of their own fate.
This is why we take an active part in the training of Afghan security forces so that, when they are ready to do so, they can fully play their role within the local population. We are aware that it will take time.
India is also committed in Afghanistan.
You are part in reconstruction projects and you provide a significant civilian support, actually, the largest one in the region.
Your country is an essential contributor to the restoration of afghan stability.
Last July, the Kabul conference marked a significant progress and showed clearly the will of Afghan authorities to take their destiny in their own hands.
In order to preserve our common interests, particularly in the field of security, we must consider that future developments –such as reconciliation initiatives- should be part of a wider process aiming at reaching a fair and lasting settlement.
We closely watch the process of eradicating terrorism, the fight against drug trafficking and human rights defence, including education and health for everyone, men and women.
This is the best protection against a religious fundamentalism backlash and a new civil war.
As the largest democracy on earth, India is an example for the region. It can play an essential role in promoting a regional dialogue.
To take into account the various challenges I just described, our co-operation over the past ten years is decisive.
The level of interoperability our Navies and Airforce have reached is excellent.
- Yearly naval exercises VARUNA are an outstanding way to combine our efforts. In January 2011, our aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will cooperate in the area with your navy.
- Last June, France hosted GARUDA Air Force exercise. Singapore was part in it. This does illustrate the value of our co-operation and the interest it raises in regional air forces.
- As for the Army, I wish to mention the Indian senior officers who came to France for a major exercise in our main training center. Elements from the French Alpine Brigade participated in an expedition in the Himalayan range along with their Indian counterparts. These exchanges are the result of a dynamic and well balanced co-operation for mutual benefits.
To conclude, we do have common objectives: a safer world, a better managed Indian Ocean and a more stable Afghanistan.
We have similar aspirations because we share the same ideals, the same values and the same vision of the world.
That’s why we are true partners!
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