India, France elevate strategic ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the elevation of India-France ties to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership”, describing it as a step aimed at promoting global stability and prosperity amid an uncertain international environment.
Delivering a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai, Modi said France was one of India’s oldest strategic partners and that bilateral ties were “very special”.
The two leaders virtually inaugurated the H-125 helicopter final assembly line at Vemagal in Karnataka, established by Tata Advanced Systems in partnership with Airbus. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and France’s Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Catherine Vautrin, were present at the facility.
Modi described the helicopter unit as a symbol of deepening defence cooperation and expressed confidence that the helicopters manufactured in India in collaboration with France would be exported worldwide.
Stating that the India-France partnership “knows no boundaries”, Modi said cooperation spanned from the deep oceans to the highest mountains. He termed 2026 a turning point in Indo-European relations and expressed hope that the India-EU Free Trade Agreement would further strengthen bilateral ties.
The Prime Minister also said both countries were entering into an agreement to eliminate double taxation, which he termed a “Roadmap of Shared Prosperity”, aimed at boosting trade, investment and mobility.
Highlighting the launch of the India-France Year of Innovation, Modi said the two nations would work to transform their strategic partnership into a “Partnership of People” by enhancing collaboration in defence, clean energy, space and emerging technologies. He added that cooperation was expanding in critical minerals, biotechnology and advanced materials.
In his address, Macron said India-France relations were built on trust, openness and shared aspirations. Describing France as a trusted ally of India, he underlined cooperation in space, aeronautics, railways, solar energy, infrastructure, creative industries and technology.
Macron welcomed the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and stressed the importance of a shared vision on bilateral and global issues, noting that India holds the BRICS presidency this year while France chairs the G7.
Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and members of both delegations were present.
Later, the leaders inaugurated the India-France Innovation Forum. Modi said France aimed to welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030 and invited global investors to partner with India.
Earlier, the two leaders held bilateral talks covering defence, security, trade and cultural ties. Macron also paid tribute to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and reaffirmed solidarity with India in combating terrorism. He arrived in Mumbai on a three-day visit to attend the AI Impact Summit.