Context:

On September 9, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron appointed Sébastien Lecornu as the new Prime Minister of France, after the previous PM François Bayrou was removed in a confidence vote in Parliament. Lecornu becomes the fifth PM in just two years, highlighting growing political instability in France.

About  Sébastien Lecornu:
Aged 39, Lecornu is a former conservative who joined Macron’s centrist Renaissance party in 2017. He was the youngest Defence Minister in French history and has also served as Minister for Local Government and Overseas Territories. Since 2022, he has been the longest-serving minister in Macron’s cabinet.

Reason behind his appointment:

·         Macron seeks a loyal and experienced ally to manage the political crisis and ensure continuity in governance.

·         Lecornu is viewed as pragmatic, pro-defence, and pro-reform, fitting to advance Macron’s economic policies, including austerity measures.

·         His appointment signals a desire for stability and discipline amidst parliamentary chaos.

Impact on Bilateral Relations with France

• Strategic Partnership at Risk: France is a crucial defence partner for India, involved in deals like Rafale jets and joint military exercises. Political turmoil could delay or disrupt ongoing agreements, impacting India’s defence preparedness.
• Uncertainty in Policy Continuity: Frequent leadership changes may lead to inconsistent foreign policies, affecting trade, investment, and technology cooperation with India.
• Defence Cooperation and Indo-Pacific Strategy: France’s role in the Indo-Pacific, supporting a Free and Open Indo-Pacific aligned with India’s interests, could weaken due to instability, reducing the effectiveness of joint efforts to balance China’s growing influence.

Effect on India’s Multilateral Diplomacy

• European Union Dynamics: As a key EU player, France’s instability complicates EU consensus on issues vital to India, such as trade agreements (e.g., India-EU FTA), counter-terrorism, and sustainable development.
• Influence in Global Forums: France’s role in the UN Security Council, G7, and NATO may be affected, weakening global cooperation on challenges like climate change, terrorism, and pandemics, where India seeks strong partnerships.
• Climate and Energy Cooperation: France’s leadership in nuclear energy and climate initiatives is important for India’s energy transition. Political uncertainty may delay joint projects in these sectors.

Conclusion

Political instability in France presents both challenges and opportunities for India. While it threatens bilateral ties and complicates multilateral diplomacy, it also encourages India to diversify its international relations and strengthen strategic autonomy. Navigating this uncertainty with strategic foresight and diplomatic resilience will be essential to safeguarding India’s interests on the global stage.