India and France Elevate Ties to “Special Global Strategic Partnership” During President Macron’s Visit

• India and France elevated ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership during President Macron’s February 17–19, 2026 visit.

• Launched 2026 Year of Innovation and advanced the Horizon 2047 Roadmap.

• Strengthened defence cooperation, including Rafale jets and submarine collaboration.

• Deepened AI, digital, climate, and nuclear energy partnerships.

• Backed UNSC reform, India’s permanent membership, and expanded trade, education, and people-to-people ties.

  
  

President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron concluded a three-day official visit to India from February 17 to 19, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a major milestone in bilateral relations. The visit, President Macron’s fourth to India, coincided with his participation in the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit 2026 and culminated in the elevation of ties to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership.”

The announcement signals a new phase in India-France cooperation, aimed at guiding collaboration across security, technology, climate, economic resilience, and global governance for decades to come.

A New Chapter in Strategic Relations

During bilateral talks, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron jointly inaugurated the 2026 India-France Year of Innovation in Mumbai on February 17. They also agreed to upgrade their longstanding Strategic Partnership — which marked its 25th anniversary in 2023 — to a Special Global Strategic Partnership.

The move builds on the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, adopted in 2023 to chart cooperation up to 2047 — the centenary of India’s independence, 100 years of diplomatic ties, and 50 years of Strategic Partnership.

To ensure implementation, the two leaders established an annual Foreign Ministers Comprehensive Dialogue to monitor progress across economic security, global issues, and people-to-people exchanges.

Stronger Defence and Security Cooperation

Defence cooperation featured prominently in discussions. France has emerged as one of India’s foremost defence partners, with increasing collaboration in co-design, co-development, and co-production of advanced platforms.

Key highlights include:

• Ongoing procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets

• Continued cooperation on the Scorpène submarine program, whose sixth submarine was delivered to the Indian Navy on January 15, 2025

• Expansion of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in India for advanced aircraft engines

• Establishment of a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group to collaborate on emerging and critical defence technologies

• Strengthened defence space cooperation under a 2024 Letter of Intent

Both sides also condemned terrorism in all forms, with President Macron strongly condemning the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and the November 2025 terror incident near Red Fort, New Delhi, reiterating support for India’s counter-terrorism efforts.

AI, Innovation and Technology at the Core

President Macron congratulated Prime Minister Modi on the successful organization of the AI Impact Summit 2026. The summit builds on the AI Action Summit held in Paris in February 2025.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to developing secure, trustworthy, and inclusive AI, while working to bridge the global AI divide. The Year of Innovation 2026 will see collaborations in:

• Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies

• Cybersecurity

• Healthcare and digital health

• Research and higher education

• Sustainable development

• Cultural and creative industries

The two countries also launched the India-France Innovation Network, aimed at connecting startups, incubators, research institutions, and industry leaders.

Expanding Economic and Trade Ties

The leaders welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on the India–EU Free Trade Agreement, calling it a transformative step toward deeper economic integration. They also welcomed the signing of a Security and Defense Partnership between India and the European Union.

Bilateral trade and investments continue to grow, with expanding cooperation in aerospace, energy, logistics, agri-food, telecom, and technology sectors. The India-France CEO Forum convened during the visit to advance business partnerships.

Digital cooperation was also highlighted, with France becoming the first European country to offer India’s UPI payment system, enhancing convenience for Indian tourists.

Climate, Energy and the Planet

Reaffirming commitment to the Paris Agreement, both leaders emphasized climate action and sustainable lifestyles. They pledged to work toward limiting global temperature rise to well below 2°C and pursue efforts toward 1.5°C.

India and France committed to expanding cooperation in:

• Renewable energy

• Critical minerals and resilient supply chains

• Ocean governance and marine biodiversity

• Disaster resilience under the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)

• Solar deployment through the International Solar Alliance (ISA)

  
  

President Macron lauded India’s ambitious goal of achieving 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047, and both leaders agreed to deepen civil nuclear cooperation, including in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and the proposed Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant Project.

Global Governance and Multilateral Reform

On international issues, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based international order and called for urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council. France reiterated its firm support for India’s permanent membership.

They also discussed:

• The war in Ukraine, calling for a comprehensive and lasting peace through dialogue

• Developments in Iran, emphasizing diplomacy

• Implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2803 on Gaza and support for a two-state solution

  
  

President Macron invited Prime Minister Modi to participate in the G7 Summit to be hosted by France in 2026, as well as the “Africa Forward” Summit in Nairobi in May 2026. Prime Minister Modi welcomed both invitations.

People-to-People and Cultural Exchange

Educational and cultural cooperation received renewed focus. France aims to host 30,000 Indian students by 2030, up from 10,000 currently. New initiatives include:

• Expanded academic collaborations

• A National Centre of Excellence in Aeronautics in Kanpur

• A research center dedicated to AI in healthcare involving Sorbonne University and AIIMS

• Strengthened startup ecosystem exchanges

  
  

The leaders also reaffirmed commitment to deepening cultural ties through exhibitions, museum collaborations, literature exchanges, and the next edition of Namaste France in 2028.

Additionally, France announced upcoming visa-free transit for Indian nationals through French airports, to be reviewed after a six-month pilot phase.

Looking Ahead

The establishment of the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership marks a significant evolution in bilateral relations. From defence and digital innovation to climate action and global governance reform, both nations signaled their intent to work closely across bilateral, regional, and multilateral platforms.

As President Macron’s visit concludes on February 19, 2026, both leaders expressed confidence that the strengthened partnership will serve not only their national interests but also contribute to global peace, stability, and sustainable prosperity in an increasingly uncertain world.