India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership – A Report


By

Dr. Somita Chakraborty


India and France elevated their relationship to Special Global Strategic Partnership. The elevated diplomatic status proves India’s growing strategic partnership with France as well as with Europe. Here we should mention that recently India concluded the historic India-EU Free Trade Agreement. the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council were also attended Republic Day 2026, as chief guests.  

At the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, H. E. President Emannuel Macron, President of France visited India (17-19 February, 2026). It was his fourth visit to India. Last February, Prime Minister Modi visited France and co-chaired the AI Action Summit 2025, hosted by France, along with President Macron.

This new level of elevated bilateral strategic partnership - Special Global Strategic Partnership, is a new milestone in India-France relation. It reflects a very special and very unique nature of India-France relationship. The elevated strategic partnership is expected to match the growth of the relationship across several domains.

India and France have already expanded their strong ties in diverse sectors, for example, defence, science and technology, critical mineral etc. To match the upgraded status, both the leaders decided to establish an annual Foreign Ministers' Dialogue to review the implementation of the elevated partnership and the Horizon 2047 roadmap. It will also help to take stock of strategic issues happening around the world.

To deepen the partnership discussions are going on in various areas, such as, defence, space, civil nuclear and counter-terrorism. Reflecting France’s position, President Macron started his visit by paying tributes to the victims of 26/11 terror attacks. The MEA spokesperson also added that the French Government collaborated closely and has remained very supportive after the Pahalgam terror attack.

In the field of technology and innovation, India and France together launched Year of Innovation and India-France Innovation Network. Regarding defense and security, both the leaders jointly virtually inaugurated the H125 final assembly line of the helicopter, which is being jointly manufactured by the Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus, on the outskirts of Bangalore, in Vemagal (Karnataka). Moreover, a Letter of Intent is also there to establish a center on advanced materials between India’s Department of Science and Technology and the French institution called CNRS, which is one of the world's largest scientific institutions, focused on basic research. There is also a Letter of Intent between T-Hub and Nord-France on strategic cooperation in startup ecosystems. There is also a Joint Declaration of Intent on establishing an Indo-French center for digital sciences and technology at IIT Mumbai. There is also a Letter of Intent to establish a National Center of Excellence for skilling in aeronautics in Kanpur.

On critical and emerging technology, India and France decided to constitute a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group. They also announced a Joint Declaration of Intent for cooperation in critical minerals. India and France also amended the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement between the two countries.

One of the defining features of this partnership is a strong focus on people's ties. Therefore, India and France are collaborating with focus on business, between startups and technologies. During his visit, President Macron also met with several investors. In the field of Health and Research President Macron inaugurated the France-India Center for AI and Global Health at AIIMS in Delhi. There is also a Letter of Intent between Department of Biotechnology and French institution ANRS on cooperation in research and development on infectious diseases.

For detail

Transcript of Special Briefing by MEA on Official visit of President of France to India (February 17, 2026)

https://www.mea.gov.in/media-briefings.htm?dtl/40784/Transcript_of_Special_Briefing_by_MEA_on_Official_visit_of_President_of_France_to_India_February_17_2026

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