SYLLABUS

GS-2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Context: Recently, French President Emmanuel Macron visited India to participate in the AI Impact Summit hosted by India, reflecting growing cooperation between the two countries in emerging technologies and global digital governance.

More on the News

• During the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with President Macron, leading to the elevation of ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership, reflecting deeper convergence in defence, technology, and global strategic issues. 

• The upgrade builds on the Horizon 2047 roadmap and was described as a stabilising partnership rooted in multipolarity, strategic autonomy, and a rules-based international order. 

• The visit also reflects India’s broader strategy of engaging a multipolar West and expanding strategic space through closer cooperation with Europe.

Key Outcomes of the Visit

• Strategic and Institutional Outcomes: Bilateral ties formally upgraded to a Special Global Strategic Partnership.

• Establishment of an annual Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue to monitor the Horizon 2047 roadmap.
• Creation of a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group on critical and emerging technologies.
• Reciprocal deployment of officers between Indian and French land forces.

• Defence and Aerospace Cooperation: Renewal of the defence cooperation agreement and expansion of joint production initiatives.

• Proposed BEL–Safran joint venture to manufacture HAMMER precision-guided missiles in India.
• Push for greater localisation, including higher indigenous content in defence manufacturing and MRO ecosystem expansion.
• Inauguration of the Tata–Airbus H125 helicopter final assembly line in Karnataka, with the first Made-in-India delivery expected by 2027 and export potential to South Asia.
• Continued collaboration in helicopter engine development through the Safran–HAL ecosystem.

• Technology, Innovation and Startups: Launch of the India–France Year of Innovation and an Innovation Network linking ecosystems.

• Letter of Intent between T-Hub and French partners to deepen startup collaboration.
• Cooperation in emerging domains such as AI governance and advanced materials.

• Science, Research and Education: Multiple joint research platforms were established, including the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health (AIIMS Delhi), the Indo-French Centre for Digital Science and Technology, and the Indo-French Centre for Metabolic Health Sciences.

• Cooperation between DBT and French research agencies on infectious diseases and global health.
• Expansion of scientific collaboration through new MoUs.

• Skilling and Industrial Capacity Building: Creation of a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics.

• Aerospace manufacturing initiatives expected to boost employment, workforce skilling and domestic industrial capabilities.

• Economic and Regulatory Cooperation: Amendment to the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) protocol.

• Renewed cooperation in renewable energy between the two governments.
• Agreements on critical minerals and metals supply chains, enhancing economic security.

• Space, Climate and Broader Collaboration: Continued collaboration in space missions such as the TRISHNA climate satellite (ISRO–CNES).

• Joint initiatives in museums, agriculture traceability and cultural projects.

India and France Bilateral Relations 

Sources:
The Hindu
Indian Express
Indian Express
MEA