Mumbai: India and France on Tuesday announced a significant upgrade in their bilateral relationship, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron declaring the elevation of ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership following high-level talks in Mumbai.
Addressing the media after their meeting, Prime Minister Modi described the India–France relationship as “truly special,” noting that France remains one of India’s oldest and most trusted strategic partners. “Today we are elevating our ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership,” Modi said, underlining what he called unprecedented depth and renewed energy in cooperation between the two nations.
Framing the partnership in a broader geopolitical context, Modi stated, “In today’s uncertain world, the India–France partnership is a partnership for global stability and global progress.” He emphasised that collaboration between the two countries extends beyond diplomacy into defence, innovation, technology, and economic engagement.
A key highlight of the visit was the remote inauguration of India’s first private helicopter assembly line, a joint venture between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems in Karnataka. Calling the project a symbol of mutual trust, Modi said, “India and France will jointly manufacture in India the world’s only helicopter capable of flying to the heights of Mount Everest.” He added that the helicopters would be exported globally.
Summarising the scale and ambition of bilateral cooperation, Modi remarked, “The India–France partnership knows no boundaries — it can reach from the deep oceans to the tallest mountains.”
The leaders also welcomed progress in economic relations, referencing the recently concluded India–European Union Free Trade Agreement. Modi described 2026 as a “turning point” in India–Europe ties and said the agreement would inject fresh momentum into India–France trade, investment, and mobility.
To facilitate cross-border investments, both sides announced an agreement aimed at avoiding double taxation for individuals and companies. “These initiatives will energise trade, investment and mobility, forming a roadmap for shared prosperity,” Modi noted.
In a push towards deeper societal and technological linkages, the two countries launched the India–France Year of Innovation. “Innovation does not thrive in isolation — it flourishes through collaboration,” Modi said, outlining plans to strengthen cooperation across defence, clean energy, space, emerging technologies, startups, MSMEs, and academic exchanges.
Several new institutional partnerships were also unveiled, including the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health, the Indo-French Centre for Digital Science & Technology, and a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics. Modi described these as “future-building platforms.”
President Macron, who is visiting India for a three-day trip, reaffirmed France’s commitment to expanding industrial and defence cooperation. He described France’s ties with India as “stable and predictable” and emphasised local manufacturing and technology partnerships.
Both leaders reiterated their shared commitment to democratic values, multilateralism, and a rules-based global order. Modi said India and France “believe in democratic values, the rule of law, and a multipolar world,” while also stressing that “eradicating terrorism in all its forms remains our shared commitment.”
