Mumbai, February 17 (IANS). India and France on Tuesday gave a new dimension to their long-standing friendship as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron upgraded bilateral ties to a ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’ during high-level talks.
It was told in the joint press conference that this announcement indicates deep cooperation in defence, innovation, trade, technology and people-to-people contacts. Both leaders described this partnership as a force for global stability and progress.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed President Macron to Mumbai, which is often called India’s ‘Gateway to the World’. He said relations between the two democracies are based on trust, shared values and a common vision for the world.
Prime Minister Modi said, “France has been one of India’s oldest strategic partners, and now both countries are committed to taking this partnership beyond traditional diplomacy to global peace, prosperity and technological progress.”
One of the major outcomes of the visit was the inauguration of the H125 Helicopter Line Assembly Line at Vemagal, Karnataka. This facility will manufacture such helicopters in India, which will be capable of operating even at high altitude and challenging conditions.
These helicopters will not only meet India’s needs but will also be exported globally, strengthening India’s aerospace manufacturing capability.
This project will create employment and skill development opportunities for Indian youth and provide new avenues for MSMEs to join the global supply chain, thereby strengthening the vision of a self-reliant India.
Defense cooperation also got a significant boost during the visit. India and France upgraded their defense cooperation agreement, expanding possibilities for co-design, co-development and co-production of advanced defense platforms.
In a significant step, India’s Bharat Electronics Limited and France’s Safran Company will form a joint venture.
The move will strengthen India’s domestic defense industries, reduce import dependence and increase access to high-precision weapons.
The two leaders also agreed to establish an annual Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue process to regularly review the enhanced partnership and the implementation of the Horizon 2047 roadmap.
Through this mechanism, both sides will assess the ongoing cooperation and focus on focus areas such as education, culture, skills and mobility, so that the benefits of the partnership reach the youth of both the countries.
Marking 2026 as the India-France Year of Innovation, both countries launched the India-France Innovation Network, which will connect businesses, startups, incubators, research institutes and industry leaders.
In the technology sector, both sides announced cooperation in critical minerals, biotechnology and advanced materials.
–IANS
AMT/ABM