The Pakistan government had banned a political party from Punjab Province. Interior Minister of Pakistan Sheikh Rashid Ahmed issued statement stated that the ‘Tehreek-i-Labaik Pakistan’ was banned under the Rule 11-B of Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997. Also, the government arrested party chief Saad Hussain Rizvi. Then the TLP party launched the country wide protest on 12th April. Till date Pakistan is burning in extremist’s violence. Government suspended all social media activities, internet services. Protesters demanded to expel French Ambassador and ban all french products throughout the country. Pakistan's Foreign Policy didn't allow for these extreme steps. Because if the Pak government takes such action, then Pakistan would be defamed all over the world as an extremist nation. How is this internal matter related to france? To get its answer, we have to dig it more.
In September 2005, the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published 12 editorial cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. Depictions of Muhammad, any other prophet, and God are prohibited in Islam. In self defence, the newspaper said that they did this just to assert their right to freedom of expression. Protests against the cartoons raised up in muslim countries around the world in late January and February 2006; some protests became violent, resulting in over 200 deaths. And now France came in picture. In 2006 'The Charlie Hebdo' a french magazine reprinted controversial cartoons already published by danish newspaper. Here begins the scene. On 7 January 2015, gunmen attacked Charlie Hebdo office in intention to get revenge on a controversial cartoon insult. 12 people were killed in this attack. Later that on 9 January 2015, a gunman took 15 people hostage at a grocery store. 4 were killed in this attack. On 11 January 2015, 40 world leaders including French President, German Chancellor, Israeli Prime Minister, Palestinian Authority, British Prime Minister participated in anti terrorism rallies along with 1.5 million people.
Coming to present, in September 2020 those alleged criminals are supposed to go under trial in Paris, in order to condemn their terrorist activity, Charlie Hebdo reprinted those cartoons. This time the protest turned loud. Facing the press conference President of France Emmanuel Macron said “I understand the sentiments being expressed and I respect them. But you must understand my role right now, it’s to do two things: to promote calm and also to protect these rights,” “I will always defend in my country the freedom to speak, to write, to think, to draw,” he added. According to extremists, Macron was backing Charlie Habdo. But actually he is protecting their right to freedom of expression. He strongly supported their freedom. And coming to the current situation, Pakistani political party TLP forced the Imran government to expel French ambassador and boycott their goods. But a weird thing is, there is no such heavy protest took place in any other muslim country except Pakistan. Why? Answer is unknown yet! So why did Pakistan arrest the TLP chief? And suspended TLP? And will Pakistan take major steps against France?
Answer is simple. They suspended TLP to keep their face clean in global politics. But partially. Actually we all know Pakistan is under heavy financial crisis and they have heavy debt pending. And France is one of the major loan providers to pakistan.
Let's look at the strategic partnership of Pakistan and France. In 2017, bilateral trade between France and Pakistan stood at €1.4 billion. Some 32 French companies, mainly major groups, are represented in Pakistan, in key sectors of the Pakistani economy (energy, transport, public works and civil engineering, environment, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, non-banking services). Over 185 French companies are members of the Pakistan-France Business Alliance. Recently there was news that the France government is providing a soft loan of Rs 12.3 billion (65 million euros) for the bus rapid transit (BRT) Red Line project in Karachi.
Coming to import and export. In point of view of Pakistan, France is one the very few countries to which Pakistan exports more and imports less. Means it is surplus trade for Pakistan. In 2019, Pakistan imported goods from France worth 419.96 million euros and exported to France worth 442.66 million euros. Similarly in 2020, Pakistan imported from France worth 356.06 million euros and exported to France worth 396.88 million euros. Thus France is an important country for Pakistan.
Most importantly, European Union has extended the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status for Pakistan for two years, allowing the country access to preferential duties on exports to the EU. France is one of the most influential countries in European Union. If France decides to cancel this GSP Plus status, it can do this. Another most important point, there is a union called Paris Club. It is an informal organization of official creditors. There are 22 countries in this club and they credit loans to needy countries togetherly. Special point is that the Paris Club credits loans to those countries only, who are in financial crisis. Pakistan had been credited with a loan of $11.547 billion, out of which $1.748 billion credit amount was given by France only. So if Pakistan takes major steps against France, it will backfire and then Pakistan would have to face a heavy financial crisis.
But the twist in the story is France is now taking actions and is worried about their citizens in Pakistan. So France told citizens to leave Pakistan after the anti-france protests. Will Pakistan expel French Ambassador? or France will order to exit from Pakistan? Answer is not known yet. But I have a big blowing update. I'll put it at the end. So as per our title, we have gone through Pakistan- France bilateral relation and current scenario that pulled this relationship at lowest end. So moving towards our status. That is India- France Relationship.
India and France have been in strategic partnership since 1998. France was the first country with which India entered into an agreement on nuclear energy following the waiver given by International Atomic Energy Agency and The Nuclear Suppliers group. You know in May 1998, India successfully tested 5 nuclear explosions in Pokhran. We became a nuclear power nation. And that was the biggest success for India at that time. But giant nations at that time such as Germany, Japan, USA heavily criticised Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and India. Even the USA imposed strict sanctions on India. But amid this, France was the only country who congratulated India and backed us softly. France was the only giant country who didn't join sanctions imposed by US President Bill Clinton on India. In 1998, French President Jacques Chirac was invited as Chief Guest in Indian Republic Day celebration.
It was France that had moved a resolution in the UN Security Council following the Pulwama attack in Kashmir, that eventually led to the designation of Pakistan based Masood Azhar as Global terrorist under UN norms.
G7 is a group of 7 most powerful economies and India is not its part. But France President Macron had invited Narendra Modi to participate in G7. Strategically it was a milestone for India. India and France are the founder members of the International Solar Alliance. In the defence sector also, France is one of the most huge partners of India. France is a key resource of defence hardwares for India including submarines and fighter aircrafts. You know, we made a deal of purchasing 36 Rafale aircrafts from Dassault Aviation, France and we have received the first batch so far. As France is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has consistently supported India’s permanent membership of UNSC. Looking into bilateral trade, in 2019 total trade was carried out of 11.5 billion euros of which India exported to France of cost 6,238 million euros and France exported to India of cost 5,358 million euros. If compared to Pakistan, Indo-France trade is much higher.
So moving towards the conclusion, Indo-France relation is running with great pace. But the situation is completely reversed with our neighbour country. And regarding the big blow, Pakistan’s Imran government is now having debate in parliament regarding expelling French Ambassador. And the global press had raised this issue and started defaming Pakistan. At last I am just hoping for the best. I wish the relations between Pakistan and France would improve and touch new highs in future. Also wishing that Indo-French relations will set a benchmark of friendship and co-operation in all sectors. ‘The World is one family’, this is our culture and this is our teaching. I believe in ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.
Long live Indo-France Relationship!!!
Jai Hind!
-Aditya More
References-
1) Ministry of External Affairs, India
2) The Indian Express- 'Why France has asked its citizens to leave Pakistan?'
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/pakistan-tlp-protest-france-7274978/
3) The BBC News- France urges citizens to leave Pakistan amid anti-French protests
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56760224
4) The BBC News- Charlie Hebdo: Magazine republishes controversial Mohammed cartoons
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53985407
5) The Indian Express- 5 years after terror attack, why Charlie Hebdo has reprinted caricatures of the Prophet
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-five-years-after-deadly-terror-attack-why-has-charlie-hebdo-reprinted-caricatures-of-the-prophet-6580382/
6) Berkley Center- Jyllands-Posten: Muhammad Cartoons Controversy
https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/essays/em-jyllands-posten-em-muhammad-cartoons-controversy
7) The Economic Times- Pakistan bans the TLP, but at what cost?
https://m.economictimes.com/news/defence/pakistan-bans-the-tlp-but-at-what-cost/articleshow/82209929.cms
8) The Dawn- No intention of lifting ban on TLP, declares PM
https://www.dawn.com/news/1619451
9) Ministry of External Affairs, France
https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/pakistan/#:~:text=Embassy%20in%20Pakistan-,Economic%20relations,customers%20(64th%20in%202016).&text=Over%20185%20French%20companies%20are,the%20Pakistan%2DFrance%20Business%20Alliance.
10) Pakistan France Business Alliance
http://www.pfba.org/Bilateral.html
11) The Nation- Pakistan, France sign MoU to promote bilateral trade
https://nation.com.pk/18-Jul-2019/pakistan-france-sign-mou-to-promote-bilateral-trade-investment-and-business
12) Embassy of India in Paris, France
https://www.eoiparis.gov.in/page/india-france-economic-and-commercial-relations-brief/#:~:text=In%202020%2C%20the%20India%2DFrance,20.95%25%20to%20%E2%82%AC%204.23%20billion.
13) The Economic Times- INDIA FRANCE BILATERAL TRADE
https://m.economictimes.com/topic/India-France-bilateral-trade/amp
You had gone through such beautiful comparison and the last thought 'The World is one family ' is just amazing
ReplyDeleteThank you😊
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