PIB:- Published on 17 FEB 2026
Why It Is in the News
India and France recently elevated their bilateral relations to a Special Global Strategic Partnership during the official visit of French President H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron to India from 17–19 February 2026.
The visit coincided with the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit 2026 and the launch of the 2026 India-France Year of Innovation in Mumbai. This is President Macron’s fourth visit to India, reflecting the sustained and deepening engagement between the two nations, following Prime Minister Modi’s visit to France in February 2025.
The elevation of ties signifies a historic deepening of strategic, economic, technological, and cultural cooperation between India and France. It is aimed at fostering collaboration across sectors critical to global peace, security, and sustainable development, in line with the Horizon 2047 Roadmap—a long-term vision for bilateral engagement up to India’s centenary of independence.
Key Highlights of the Partnership
The India–France Special Global Strategic Partnership marks a historic elevation of bilateral ties, reflecting the shared vision of both countries to collaborate across strategic, economic, technological, environmental, and cultural domains.
The partnership is designed to strengthen defense and security cooperation, boost trade and innovation, advance climate action, and enhance people-to-people exchanges, while reinforcing a rules-based global order. The following are the key areas where India and France are set to deepen collaboration and create lasting impact on bilateral and global scales.
1. Strategic and Defense Cooperation
- Both countries reaffirmed long-standing defense ties and agreed to intensify collaboration in co-designing, co-developing, and co-producing advanced defense platforms.
- Key projects include Rafale-Marine jets, Scorpène submarines (P75 – Kalvari), Pinaka MBRL, and Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH).
- A Joint Advanced Technology Development Group will explore emerging and critical technologies to maintain a competitive edge.
- Regular joint military exercises (Varuna, Shakti, Garuda) and port visits strengthen operational interoperability.
- Defense space cooperation was emphasized, building on the Letter of Intent signed between DRDO and DGA in 2024.
2. Economic, Trade, and Technology Cooperation
- Both countries aim to enhance trade, investment, and industrial collaboration, including startups, MSMEs, aerospace, telecom, AI, and logistics sectors.
- Expansion in civil nuclear energy, including Small and Advanced Modular Reactors (SMR/AMR), supports India’s target of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047.
- Collaboration in space programs, AI, digital innovation, cybersecurity, and critical minerals reinforces technological resilience.
- Initiatives like the India-France CEO Forum and amendment to the bilateral tax treaty aim to facilitate investment and business growth.
3. Climate Action and Sustainable Development
- Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement and the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
- Strengthened cooperation under International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and low-carbon energy solutions.
- Emphasis on ocean protection through the BBNJ Treaty and marine protected areas, along with implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
- Joint support for decarbonization of buildings and industry, climate finance, and renewable energy projects.
4. People-to-People Engagement and Innovation
- Launch of India-France Innovation Network connects startups, academic institutions, research centers, and industries across both countries.
- Cultural collaborations under the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, including museums, exhibitions, residencies, and festivals (Namaste France).
- Educational cooperation expanded via International Classes, student mobility programs, vocational training, and a target of 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030.
- Health sector partnership includes AI-based healthcare research, digital health projects, and a binational research center with Sorbonne University, AIIMS, and Paris Brain Institute.
5. Global and Multilateral Cooperation
- India and France emphasized rules-based international order, United Nations reform, and coordinated responses to global crises including Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, and Indo-Pacific security.
- Strengthened alignment on EU-India relations, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), and G7 engagement.
- Commitment to multilateral initiatives addressing climate change, economic resilience, security, and technological challenges.
Significance of the Partnership
- Establishes India and France as strategic partners in shaping global peace, security, and prosperity.
- Enhances India’s strategic autonomy in defense, energy, technology, and space sectors.
- Fosters innovation, knowledge-sharing, and sustainable development across multiple domains.
- Demonstrates a long-term vision through Horizon 2047 for cooperation in economic, technological, cultural, and strategic areas.
- Positions both countries as global leaders in AI, green energy, defense, and multilateral diplomacy, showcasing their shared commitment to global stability.
Conclusion
The India–France Special Global Strategic Partnership is more than a diplomatic milestone—it is a comprehensive, forward-looking framework for collaboration spanning defense, technology, trade, climate action, culture, and people-to-people ties. By jointly addressing global challenges and building resilient, sustainable, and innovative frameworks, both countries are signaling their intent to shape a stable and inclusive international order for the decades ahead.
