India and France announced a wide-ranging set of outcomes spanning political engagement, defence collaboration, critical technologies, innovation, health, renewable energy and people-to-people cooperation following the visit of Emmanuel Macron, the President of the French Republic to India, on February 17. The outcomes reflect a significant expansion of the bilateral partnership across multiple sectors.
Political, Overarching
India and France agreed to upgrade their bilateral relationship to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership”, signalling a deeper level of cooperation and strategic alignment.
The two sides also decided to establish an annual Foreign Ministers Dialogue to regularly review the implementation of the elevated partnership and monitor progress under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, ensuring sustained political oversight.
Technology and Innovation
Both countries announced the launch of the India-France Year of Innovation, aimed at fostering collaboration among innovators, researchers and industry stakeholders.
They also launched the India-France Innovation Network, intended to strengthen institutional linkages and promote joint innovation initiatives.
Defence and Security
Defence cooperation was reinforced through multiple measures:
Inauguration of the H125 Helicopter Final Assembly Line at Vemagal, Karnataka.
Renewal of the Agreement between the Government of India and the French Republic on Defence Cooperation.
Joint venture between Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran to produce HAMMER missiles in India.
Reciprocal deployment of officers at Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments.
Critical and Emerging Technologies including defence
India and France agreed to:
Constitute a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group to advance collaboration in cutting-edge technologies.
Issue a Joint Declaration of Intent for Cooperation in Critical Minerals and Metals.
Sign a Letter of Intent to establish a Centre on Advanced Materials between DST and CNRS.
Economy, Startups, Science and Technology, Health, Renewable Energy and Skilling
A wide range of initiatives were announced under this category:
Amending Protocol on the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement between India and France.
Letter of Intent between T-Hub and Nord France on strategic cooperation in start-up ecosystems, innovation and technology.
Memorandum of Understanding for scientific collaboration between DST and CNRS.
Joint Declaration of Intent on establishing an Indo-French Centre for Digital Sciences and Technology.
Launch of the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health at AIIMS, New Delhi.
Letter of Intent between DBT and ANRS on cooperation in research and development on infectious diseases and global health research.
Agreement for the establishment of an Indo-French Centre for Metabolic Health Sciences.
Letter of Intent to establish a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics.
Renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the French Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty on Renewable Energy Cooperation.
Letter of Intent between the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications and La Poste, France, enhancing cooperation in postal services.
