Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: India and France have agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership”, marking a significant expansion of cooperation across defence, critical minerals, advanced technologies, climate action, health, education and economic security.
The decision was announced following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai. Macron, who was on an official visit to India from February 17 to 19, also jointly inaugurated the 2026 India-France Year of Innovation. He also participated in the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
President Macron invited PM Modi to attend the G7 Summit to be hosted by France in 2026 and to participate in preparatory discussions on global economic imbalances and international partnerships. This is President Macron’s fourth visit to India and follows PM Modi’s visit to France in February 2025.
The elevation builds on the IndiaFrance Strategic Partnership launched in 1998 and the Horizon 2047 Roadmap adopted in 2023, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the partnership. The two leaders agreed to establish an annual Foreign Ministers Comprehensive Dialogue to review progress under the upgraded framework and coordinate on economic security, global issues and people-to-people ties.
The new designation signals deeper coordination at bilateral, regional and global levels, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to a rulesbased international order, reformed multilateralism and closer engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
France reiterated its firm support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council, and both sides pledged to intensify coordination in multilateral forums. Defence ties deepen Defence cooperation emerged as a cornerstone of the upgraded partnership. The two sides renewed their 10- year defence cooperation agreement and signed multiple MoUs during the 6th India-France Defence Dialogue.
Among key outcomes were a joint venture between Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran to produce HAMMER missiles in India; reciprocal deployment of officers between the Indian Army and French Land Forces in 2026; constitution of a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group to co-develop emerging and critical technologies; and renewal of the defence cooperation agreement and strengthening of joint research, co-design, co-development and co-production under the Defence Industrial Roadmap.
The leaders welcomed the inauguration of the H125 helicopter Final Assembly Line at Vemagal, Karnataka, a collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus, marking a milestone in India’s “Make in India” initiative. They also noted progress on the procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets and ongoing cooperation on jet engines and helicopters, including Safran’s partnership with HAL for the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH).
Recognising the strategic importance of supply chains for clean energy and advanced manufacturing, India and France announced a Joint Declaration of Intent on cooperation in critical minerals and rare earths. The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration in exploration, extraction, processing and recycling technologies to build diversified and resilient supply chains. In a significant move to facilitate business, the two countries agreed to amend the protocol on the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), aimed at providing greater certainty for investors and encouraging bilateral trade.
France, the first European country to adopt India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), agreed to expand acceptance of digital payment systems to ease transactions for Indian tourists. They also welcomed joint initiatives under the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, both headquartered in New Delhi. They pledged closer coordination under frameworks such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and trilateral partnerships with Australia and the UAE.