Modi, Macron Upgrade India–France Ties to Special Global Strategic Partnership With Key AI, Defence and Health Deals
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 17 welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to India for an official visit from February 17 to 19, 2026, saying the trip would take bilateral relations to “new heights”, as India and France announced they were upgrading ties to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership” and jointly launched the 2026 India–France Year of Innovation alongside a slate of outcomes spanning defence co-production, critical technologies, health, education, climate cooperation and connectivity.
In posts on X, Modi said India looked forward to “advancing our bilateral ties to new heights” and expressed confidence that discussions would strengthen cooperation across sectors and contribute to global progress, adding that engagements in Mumbai and later in Delhi would provide fresh momentum to the strategic partnership.
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| French President with Indian Prime Minister; Via the former. |
In posts on X, Modi said India looked forward to “advancing our bilateral ties to new heights” and expressed confidence that discussions would strengthen cooperation across sectors and contribute to global progress, adding that engagements in Mumbai and later in Delhi would provide fresh momentum to the strategic partnership.
The visit included participation in the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit 2026, with the joint statement noting Macron congratulated Modi on India’s organisation of the summit.
A joint statement issued on February 17 said the elevation to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership” is intended to guide cooperation in the coming decades, describing the move as reflecting growing ambitions and a shared vision to act as a force for global good, while working collectively in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
A joint statement issued on February 17 said the elevation to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership” is intended to guide cooperation in the coming decades, describing the move as reflecting growing ambitions and a shared vision to act as a force for global good, while working collectively in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
It said the leaders established an annual “Foreign Ministers Comprehensive Dialogue” to regularly review progress and implementation of the elevated partnership and the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, adopted earlier to set the course of the relationship up to 2047, including economic security, global issues and people-to-people exchanges.
The two leaders jointly inaugurated the 2026 India–France Year of Innovation in Mumbai on February 17, with the joint statement describing a year of “high-impact collaborations” across innovation, science and technology, cyberspace and artificial intelligence, healthcare, sustainable development, cultural and creative economy, research and education, aimed at expanding existing collaborations and building new ones among startups, academia, research bodies and industry.
The two leaders jointly inaugurated the 2026 India–France Year of Innovation in Mumbai on February 17, with the joint statement describing a year of “high-impact collaborations” across innovation, science and technology, cyberspace and artificial intelligence, healthcare, sustainable development, cultural and creative economy, research and education, aimed at expanding existing collaborations and building new ones among startups, academia, research bodies and industry.
In his speech inaugurating the India–France Innovation Forum in Mumbai on February 18, Modi said India and France are “two big innovation hubs” coming together, describing the relationship as rooted in trust and shared values, and said he and Macron decided to celebrate 2026 as the India–France Year of Innovation as a shared commitment “to innovate” and “to lead”.
Modi’s Mumbai address also underscored India’s domestic innovation pitch and scale, stating that the country has become the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem within a decade of the Startup India programme and that India has more than 120 unicorns with a total value of more than $350 billion (or around €300 billion), up from four unicorns in 2014.
Modi’s Mumbai address also underscored India’s domestic innovation pitch and scale, stating that the country has become the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem within a decade of the Startup India programme and that India has more than 120 unicorns with a total value of more than $350 billion (or around €300 billion), up from four unicorns in 2014.
He pointed to initiatives from Atal Tinkering Labs to mentorship, scholarships and capital, said India is among the world’s largest hackathon ecosystems, and noted that the Atal Innovation Mission would complete a decade on February 24 with more than 10,000 tinkering labs working with over one crore students. He said the government is working “mission mode” in areas including AI, quantum, biotech, semiconductors and clean energy, and highlighted women-led participation, stating that about 50% of startups have at least one woman director.
Defence and security cooperation featured prominently across the visit’s announced outcomes. India’s defence ministry said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and France’s Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Catherine Vautrin co-chaired the 6th India–France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru on February 17, where they discussed bilateral security and defence issues including priority areas for co-development and co-production, and emphasised closer defence partnership and industrial linkages, especially in niche technology.
Defence and security cooperation featured prominently across the visit’s announced outcomes. India’s defence ministry said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and France’s Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Catherine Vautrin co-chaired the 6th India–France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru on February 17, where they discussed bilateral security and defence issues including priority areas for co-development and co-production, and emphasised closer defence partnership and industrial linkages, especially in niche technology.
The two sides announced reciprocal deployment of officers at Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments and signed a renewal of the defence cooperation agreement for another 10 years. The ministry said Bharat Electronics Limited and Safran signed an MoU for manufacturing HAMMER missiles in India through a joint venture.
On the same day, Modi and Macron virtually inaugurated the Tata Advanced Systems final assembly line of the Airbus H-125 light utility helicopter at Vemagal, Karnataka, from Mumbai. Rajnath Singh described the final assembly line as a milestone in the India–France strategic partnership and said the H-125 programme’s investment is anticipated to exceed Rs 1,000 crore and is expected to create direct and indirect employment opportunities.
On the same day, Modi and Macron virtually inaugurated the Tata Advanced Systems final assembly line of the Airbus H-125 light utility helicopter at Vemagal, Karnataka, from Mumbai. Rajnath Singh described the final assembly line as a milestone in the India–France strategic partnership and said the H-125 programme’s investment is anticipated to exceed Rs 1,000 crore and is expected to create direct and indirect employment opportunities.
He said the initiative aligns with Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat and follows Tata-Airbus collaboration on manufacturing C-295 transport aircraft in India. The defence ministry statement also outlined reforms undertaken to expand private-sector participation in defence production and said the private sector’s share is nearly a quarter of total defence production, with defence exports increasing manifold.
The joint statement said the leaders agreed to intensify joint research, co-design, co-development and co-production of advanced defence platforms across air, naval and land systems and emerging dual-use technologies, aligned with a Defence Industrial Roadmap agreed in 2024, and looked forward to the annual defence dialogue between defence ministers during the visit. It welcomed a technical arrangement signed in November 2025 between France’s DGA and India’s DRDO to provide a platform for R&D partnerships, and said a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group would be constituted to explore co-development of emerging and critical technologies and mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities.
The joint statement said the leaders agreed to intensify joint research, co-design, co-development and co-production of advanced defence platforms across air, naval and land systems and emerging dual-use technologies, aligned with a Defence Industrial Roadmap agreed in 2024, and looked forward to the annual defence dialogue between defence ministers during the visit. It welcomed a technical arrangement signed in November 2025 between France’s DGA and India’s DRDO to provide a platform for R&D partnerships, and said a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group would be constituted to explore co-development of emerging and critical technologies and mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities.
The joint statement also noted a contract to procure 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets, referenced ongoing discussions on cooperation in helicopter and jet engines, and cited partnerships involving Safran and HAL, as well as new maintenance, repair and overhaul initiatives including for LEAP and M-88 engines, and a joint venture with BEL for HAMMER missiles.
Beyond defence, the joint statement set out cooperation on critical minerals, supply chains and connectivity. It said the leaders agreed to deepen cooperation on exploration, extraction, processing and recycling technologies of critical minerals and rare earths to build diversified and resilient supply chains and welcomed a joint declaration of intent on critical minerals.
Beyond defence, the joint statement set out cooperation on critical minerals, supply chains and connectivity. It said the leaders agreed to deepen cooperation on exploration, extraction, processing and recycling technologies of critical minerals and rare earths to build diversified and resilient supply chains and welcomed a joint declaration of intent on critical minerals.
It also reaffirmed commitment to the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), describing its transformational potential and encouraging a first IMEC ministerial meeting to take concrete steps in 2026.
On geopolitics and multilateral issues, the joint statement said both leaders reaffirmed commitment to a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, called for reformed and effective multilateralism, stressed the urgent need for UN Security Council reform, and said France reiterated firm support for India’s permanent membership of the UN Security Council. It also stated the leaders reiterated concern over the war in Ukraine, stressed cessation of hostilities and expressed support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace through dialogue and diplomacy consistent with the UN Charter and international law.
On geopolitics and multilateral issues, the joint statement said both leaders reaffirmed commitment to a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, called for reformed and effective multilateralism, stressed the urgent need for UN Security Council reform, and said France reiterated firm support for India’s permanent membership of the UN Security Council. It also stated the leaders reiterated concern over the war in Ukraine, stressed cessation of hostilities and expressed support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace through dialogue and diplomacy consistent with the UN Charter and international law.
On West Asia, the statement said both leaders supported implementation of the Peace Plan for Gaza in accordance with UNSC Resolution 2803 and the New York Declaration, emphasised rapid and unimpeded aid delivery across Gaza, and reiterated commitment to a just and lasting solution based on a two-state solution through dialogue and diplomacy. It also said the leaders discussed developments of concern in Iran and the region and underscored resolving issues peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy.
Macron also extended invitations linked to upcoming summits. The joint statement said he invited Modi to participate in the G7 Summit to be hosted by France in 2026, and invited India to take part in discussions and preparatory work focused on tackling global macroeconomic imbalances and defining a new paradigm for international partnerships and solidarity.
Macron also extended invitations linked to upcoming summits. The joint statement said he invited Modi to participate in the G7 Summit to be hosted by France in 2026, and invited India to take part in discussions and preparatory work focused on tackling global macroeconomic imbalances and defining a new paradigm for international partnerships and solidarity.
It said Modi welcomed the invitation and affirmed India’s commitment to contributing constructively on issues including development financing, resilient supply chains, climate action and international security. Macron also recalled an invitation extended jointly with Kenya’s President Ruto for Modi to participate in the “Africa Forward” summit in Nairobi on May 11–12, 2026, with the statement noting Modi thanked for the invitation and reaffirmed support in areas including energy transition, AI, health, agriculture and blue economy.
Climate, energy, space and cyber cooperation formed another pillar. The joint statement said both leaders recognised worsening climate impacts and reaffirmed the Paris Agreement, welcomed cooperation through the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and referenced discussions on establishing a European ISA office in Paris. It welcomed the entry into force of the BBNJ Treaty on marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction and called for widespread ratification to ensure effective implementation.
Climate, energy, space and cyber cooperation formed another pillar. The joint statement said both leaders recognised worsening climate impacts and reaffirmed the Paris Agreement, welcomed cooperation through the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and referenced discussions on establishing a European ISA office in Paris. It welcomed the entry into force of the BBNJ Treaty on marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction and called for widespread ratification to ensure effective implementation.
On nuclear energy, it said Macron lauded India’s target of achieving 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047 and India’s recent reforms including allowing private investment, and the leaders agreed to deepen cooperation across the value chain and noted evolving discussions on the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant Project, as well as cooperation on small and advanced modular reactors under a declaration of intent signed in 2025.
In space, the statement said the leaders commended CNES–ISRO partnership, called for convening the third India–France Strategic Space Dialogue in 2026, and noted India welcomed France’s hosting of an International Space Summit in July 2026, confirming participation. In cyber, it called for the next bilateral cyber dialogue in 2026 and highlighted coordination at the UN on application of international law and responsible state behaviour in cyberspace.
Counter-terrorism cooperation was also highlighted. The joint statement said both leaders “unequivocally and strongly” condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all forms including cross-border terrorism; it said Macron strongly condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and expressed support to India’s right to defend itself against terrorism, and also condemned a November 2025 terror incident near Red Fort, New Delhi.
Counter-terrorism cooperation was also highlighted. The joint statement said both leaders “unequivocally and strongly” condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all forms including cross-border terrorism; it said Macron strongly condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and expressed support to India’s right to defend itself against terrorism, and also condemned a November 2025 terror incident near Red Fort, New Delhi.
It stated both sides would cooperate against terrorist groups listed by the UN Security Council 1267 sanctions committee, urged elimination of safe havens and disruption of financing consistent with FATF, and said India supported France hosting the next No Money For Terror conference in Paris in May 2026. It also noted a letter of intent signed in November 2025 between India’s NSG and France’s GIGN.
Economic and people-to-people measures were presented as a parallel track to strategic cooperation. The joint statement said the leaders welcomed sustained growth in bilateral trade and strong two-way investments, and welcomed the signing of an amendment to the bilateral tax treaty aimed at securing economic activity and paving the way for greater investments and collaborations.
Economic and people-to-people measures were presented as a parallel track to strategic cooperation. The joint statement said the leaders welcomed sustained growth in bilateral trade and strong two-way investments, and welcomed the signing of an amendment to the bilateral tax treaty aimed at securing economic activity and paving the way for greater investments and collaborations.
It said both leaders expressed satisfaction over UPI’s progress in France, describing France as the first European country to offer UPI and noting flagship stores already accept it, and agreed to work toward greater acceptance of secure digital payment methods to improve tourist payments. The statement also referenced cooperation in railways and intent to collaborate across operations, sustainability, training and high-speed rail, looking forward to signing a joint declaration of intent on rail and high-speed rail development in India. It also said the leaders welcomed a new airline route between Saint-Denis de la Réunion and Chennai.
Education, mobility and culture were framed as central to the “partnership of the people”. The joint statement reiterated a target of welcoming 30,000 Indian students to France by 2030 from the current 10,000, welcomed a hub in Mumbai bringing together ESSEC Business School and CentraleSupélec, and noted upcoming revision of an agreement on mutual recognition of academic qualifications.
Education, mobility and culture were framed as central to the “partnership of the people”. The joint statement reiterated a target of welcoming 30,000 Indian students to France by 2030 from the current 10,000, welcomed a hub in Mumbai bringing together ESSEC Business School and CentraleSupélec, and noted upcoming revision of an agreement on mutual recognition of academic qualifications.
It said both leaders emphasised the India–France Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement and Young Professional Scheme, welcomed an MoU on skill development and vocational training, and noted an “upcoming visa free transit of Indian nationals through French airports” to be reviewed after a six-month pilot period.
On culture, the statement referenced collaboration on the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum and progress discussions on the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, announced a cultural year dedicated to India at the Guimet Museum in 2028 and an exhibition on contemporary Indian photography at the Quai Branly–Jacques Chirac museum to mark 30 years of strategic partnership in 2028, and said both sides would strengthen cooperation in books and literature, including translation flows and professional exchanges. It also noted the opening of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Paris.
Health and AI emerged as a signature deliverable of the visit’s innovation agenda. On February 18, India’s health ministry said Union Health Minister J P Nadda and President Macron inaugurated the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health (IF-CAIH) at AIIMS, New Delhi, describing it as a pioneering initiative for AI-driven research, medical education and clinical innovation to address complex healthcare challenges.
Health and AI emerged as a signature deliverable of the visit’s innovation agenda. On February 18, India’s health ministry said Union Health Minister J P Nadda and President Macron inaugurated the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health (IF-CAIH) at AIIMS, New Delhi, describing it as a pioneering initiative for AI-driven research, medical education and clinical innovation to address complex healthcare challenges.
It said the centre was established pursuant to a joint memorandum of understanding among AIIMS New Delhi, Sorbonne University and the Paris Brain Institute, with academic collaboration from IIT Delhi and leading French institutions, and that the launch coincided with high-level academic and scientific meetings (RUSH) held February 18–19 at AIIMS, coordinated by the French Embassy.
The ministry said Macron underscored the need for India and France to build computing capacity and talent to develop “trusted AI systems” and stressed safeguards including protections for children, algorithmic transparency to address bias and democratic risks, and preservation of linguistic diversity in AI systems.