In this issue, I would like to talk to you about the United States and Russia joining forces against France.
It is said that in the recent period, the Middle East is in a mess, and Europe is not good enough. Several of Biden's aides in the United States are running all over the world, and the main leaders of Europe are not getting better, Sunak and Scholz are under a lot of pressure at home, various demonstrations outside the office, and the internal opposition is forcing the palace to resign. In contrast, France's Macron is much more astute, taking advantage of India's National Day, under the banner of "birthday celebration" for India, he went to New Delhi to accompany Modi to watch, motorcycle acrobatics, and drink Ganges water.
This peasant parade in France is one stubble after another, and Macron is an Indian curry with a French meal, which is a joy. The purpose of Macron's trip is also very simple, that is, to hug Modi's thigh.
If we look at what happened to France recently, it is not difficult to understand why Macron is begging the Indians.
Affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and global inflation, the entire European economy is in a downturn, and France is certainly no exception. In order to save money, France was ready to cut diesel subsidies, which made the French farmers who needed to drive tractors to work in the fields unbearable, so there was a grand occasion of the tractor army "besieging" Paris.
And there is another important reason for the downturn of the French economy, that is, France has begun to cut off Africa.
Recently, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), also known as ECOWAS. You must know that France is the largest shareholder behind the "ECOWAS", and the three Western countries have officially cut their seats with their former suzerains in this way. Last year, three countries coup d'état to overthrow pro-French**. In fact, the military strength of these countries is very weak, but the world-famous French mercenaries were stunned to realize that the situation was wrong and ran away. And behind the anti-French movement in West Africa, it is inseparable from the support of Russia. When Russia sent the Wagner Corps to help train troops in Africa, and by the way, some new ideas were disseminated, and eventually the coup d'état in West Africa was like a chain reaction.
Now, although Russia's Wagner has basically withdrawn from Africa, Russia has formed another "Afrika Korps" to do the same thing.
Of course, the United States, France's traditional ally, is also stumbling on the French in Africa. Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken visited Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Angola to carry out diplomatic offensives.
The presence of the United States and Russia in Africa has challenged France's traditional position. So, can Modi be a lifesaver for Macron?
It is not difficult to understand that Macron wants to choose India. At present, India is playing a balance between the United States and Russia and achieving a relatively neutral position. Macron is getting closer to India, and no matter which side of the United States and Russia it is, he will not care too much. Then, under the intensification of contradictions between the United States and Russia, India also needs to choose a third party before the United States and Russia, continue to maintain a balance, and each side will take what it needs. India's expansion of its arms sales agreement with France is the best proof of this. Moreover, the West has always regarded India as a high-growth emerging market, and Macron hopes to expand economic cooperation with India to get out of the current predicament.
However, India is not only too far away from France, but India's weak economic foundation also makes India-France cooperation a risky move.
Coupled with the differences between France and India, and in many aspects such as skin color and culture, it is a question whether Modi is willing to share a small boat with Macron.
As the saying goes: the United States and Russia have laid out Africa and "joined forces" to weaken French hegemony. Pony visits India to find a way out, and it remains to be seen when they join hands.