India and France took a major step forward in bilateral relations on Tuesday by elevating their partnership to a Special Global Strategic Partnership, reflecting deepening cooperation across multiple sectors. The announcement came during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Mumbai, where he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India–France Year of Innovation 2026 at the iconic Gateway of India. The strengthened partnership spans defence, technology, innovation, startups, advanced materials, critical minerals, health, and skill development, underscoring the broad and evolving nature of India-France relations.
During the visit, several landmark agreements and initiatives were unveiled. In defence and security, an annual Foreign Ministers Dialogue will be held to review the implementation of the partnership and the Horizon 2047 Roadmap. The H125 Helicopter Final Assembly Line was inaugurated at Vemagal, Karnataka, enabling India to produce light utility helicopters for civil and parapublic operations. A joint venture between BEL and Safran will manufacture HAMMER missiles in India, while the Indian Army and French Land Forces will engage in reciprocal deployment of officers. The Defence Cooperation Agreement was renewed, and a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group was established to foster innovation in defence capabilities.
In innovation, technology, and startups, India and France launched the India-France Innovation Network and the India-France Year of Innovation 2026. They signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to establish an Indo-French Centre for Digital Sciences and Technology and a Letter of Intent between T-Hub and Nord France to collaborate on start-up ecosystems, innovation, and technology. The Indo-French Centre for AI in Health was also inaugurated at AIIMS, New Delhi, marking a significant step in digital health cooperation.
The two nations also strengthened collaboration in critical minerals, advanced materials, and skilling. A Joint Declaration of Intent for Cooperation in Critical Minerals and Metals was signed, along with a Letter of Intent to establish a Centre on Advanced Materials between India’s DST and France’s CNRS. A National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics will focus on enhancing talent development in aerospace.
Health and research initiatives included a Letter of Intent between DBT and ANRS on research in infectious diseases and global health, along with the creation of the Indo-French Centre for Metabolic Health Sciences to foster joint scientific research. In trade and postal services, the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) protocol was amended, and a Letter of Intent was signed between the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, and La Poste, France, to encourage bilateral collaboration.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Modi warmly welcomed President Macron and reflected on the historical significance of Marseille, France, noting it as the port where Indian soldiers first set foot in Europe during World War I and where freedom fighter Veer Savarkar escaped British custody. Modi emphasized that the India-France relationship is “not just strategic,” but crucial for global stability and progress amid uncertain international dynamics.
The H125 Light Utility Helicopter assembly line in Karnataka represents a major milestone in India’s indigenous aerospace manufacturing capabilities. The facility will produce helicopters for civil, emergency, law enforcement, and passenger operations, with the first ‘Made in India’ H125 expected to be delivered in early 2027. This initiative also reflects the growing defence and industrial cooperation between India and France.
The India-France partnership now stands as a comprehensive model of cooperation, covering defence, innovation, health, critical minerals, and skill development, setting the stage for stronger bilateral engagement in the coming decades. Key highlights include the elevation of ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership, H125 helicopter assembly, joint defence initiatives, AI in health, and collaboration in critical minerals and advanced materials, ensuring that the relationship is poised for growth and global impact.