French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi (ANI Photo)
New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai and held bilateral talks to strengthen India-France ties and upgrade it to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership”.The two democratic countries announced a comprehensive expansion of cooperation and signed more than 20 agreements.The discussion covered key areas ranging from the production of India’s HAMMER missile to the introduction of artificial intelligence in health at AIIMS in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Macron have vowed to strengthen cooperation in defence, trade and critical minerals, describing the bilateral relationship as a “global stabilizing force” at a time of rising geopolitical instability.
Macron arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday morning, jogging along the Marine Drive and paying tribute to the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks. Leaders committed to improving and strengthening the partnership between New Delhi and Paris. After the talks, they also held a virtual inauguration ceremony for an assembly line for the production of Airbus H125 helicopters in Vimaggarh, Karnataka, which is expected to enhance India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted key results, including:
- Elevating India-France relations to a “special global strategic partnership”
- Establish an annual Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue to review partnerships and implementation of the Horizon 2047 roadmap
- Launch of Indo-French Innovation Year and Indo-French Innovation Network
- H125 helicopter final assembly line inaugurated in Vemagal, Karnataka
- Renewal of defense cooperation agreement between India and France
- BEL forms joint venture with Safran to produce HAMMER missiles in India
- Indian Army and French Army agencies deploy officers to each other
- Establish an advanced technology joint development team
- Joint Statement of Intent for Cooperation on Critical Minerals and Metals
- DST and CNRS Letter of Intent to Establish Advanced Materials Center
- Modification of double tax avoidance agreement between India and France
- T-Hub and Nord France Letter of Intent on Startup Ecosystem Cooperation
- MoUs on scientific collaboration, health artificial intelligence, digital science, metabolic health, infectious disease research and aviation skills
- Renewal of Memorandum of Understanding on Renewable Energy Cooperation
- The Postal Department of the Ministry of Transport and the French Post Office signed a letter of intent
Macron hailed the accords as a “great deal” after India and the EU recently signed the “mother of all agreements”. Prime Minister Modi received Macron hours after arriving in Mumbai for a three-day visit.“The world is going through a period of uncertainty. In this environment, the India-France partnership is a force for global stability. We are combining France’s expertise and India’s scale,” the Prime Minister said.Highlighting the depth of the relationship between the two countries, the Prime Minister said: “The world is going through a period of uncertainty. In this environment, the India-France partnership is a force for global stability. We are combining France’s expertise and India’s scale.”The Prime Minister added: “Together with President Macron, we have given this strategic partnership unprecedented depth and vitality. Based on this trust and shared vision, today we are establishing our relationship as a ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’.” This partnership is not just strategic. In these turbulent times, this is a partnership for global stability and global progress. “Talking about the H125 helicopter assembly line, Prime Minister Modi said: “Today’s inauguration of the Indian helicopter assembly line is another shining example of this deep trust. We are proud that India and France will jointly build the only helicopter in the world that can fly to the height of Mount Everest.” We will also export it to the whole world. In other words, the Indo-French partnership has no borders; it can reach from the deep sea to the highest mountains.“On global issues, the Prime Minister noted, “Whether it’s in Ukraine, West Asia or the Indo-Pacific, we will continue to support all efforts for peace in every region. The elimination of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is our shared commitment.”He also emphasized India-EU relations: “2026 is a turning point in India-EU relations. Just a few days ago, we signed the largest and most ambitious free trade agreement in India’s history with the European Union. This free trade agreement will also bring unprecedented impetus to India-France relations. ““To promote mutual investment, we are signing an agreement today so that our people and businesses do not have to pay double tax. All these initiatives will inject new impetus into mutual trade, investment and flows.” This is a road map for shared prosperity,” the Prime Minister said.Regarding the Indo-France Year of Innovation, he said: “With the launch of the Indo-France Year of Innovation, we will now transform our strategic partnership into a people-to-people partnership. Because innovation does not happen in isolation but through collaboration.”Macron said that India is one of France’s most trustworthy partners. He said: “From Rafale fighter jets to submarines, we are expanding defense cooperation. Both our countries believe in the rule of law, which has been proven over the past few years. India and France will continue to cooperate in the fight against terrorism.”
