India-France Partnership Strengthened with 13 New Strategic Agreements and Tech Roadmap
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron have deepened the India-France partnership through 13 new strategic agreements. These commitments span defense co-production, AI governance, economic security, and technology-led innovation to boost trade and bilateral ties over the next five years.
Highlights
- •India and France established 13 new outcomes, including an Economic Security Dialogue and an AI Working Group.
- •Defense ties were strengthened with a focus on local manufacturing of Rafale fighter jets and secure information sharing.
- •The UPI payment system is set for expansion across major French airports, including Paris and Nice.
- •PM Modi inaugurated Bharat Innovates 2026 to attract global investment into India's growing deep-tech and startup ecosystem.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron have advanced the bilateral India-France partnership, focusing on a robust roadmap ranging from defense technology to Artificial Intelligence. During their high-level meeting at the Villa Kerylos in Nice, the two leaders unveiled 13 significant outcomes designed to deepen cooperation across strategic, economic, and technological domains.
Strategic Collaboration and Innovation Roadmap
A central pillar of the discussions was the enhancement of the India-France partnership through the Innovation Roadmap 2030. The two nations have committed to establishing a joint Artificial Intelligence Working Group to guide governance in emerging tech. Furthermore, they are set to create a Centre of Digital Sciences and a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Allied Sectors located at NSTI, Kanpur, aimed at fostering high-level talent development.
Defense cooperation remains a cornerstone of this diplomatic engagement. The leaders expressed satisfaction with ongoing defense initiatives, emphasizing co-design and co-production of military platforms. Negotiations continued regarding the acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force, with a strong focus on local manufacturing under the 'Make in India' framework. Additionally, a General Security Agreement was signed to ensure the protection and secure exchange of classified information between the two countries.
Economic Security and Future Connectivity
Beyond defense and technology, the leaders addressed economic resilience by instituting an Economic Security Dialogue. This initiative is designed to strengthen supply chains, particularly regarding critical minerals. The two sides also set a high-level target to double bilateral trade over the next five years. To further facilitate these economic ties, India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is set for expansion into France, with upcoming implementations at airports in Paris and Nice.
During the Bharat Innovates 2026 summit, Prime Minister Modi addressed hundreds of investors, positioning the nation as a global hub for deep-tech and startup incubation. He highlighted that India currently hosts the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. The event featured over 120 startups and 20 Institutes of Excellence, showcasing potential in quantum computing, semiconductors, and clean energy. Looking ahead, both nations have prioritized the early implementation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement to further catalyze growth, talent mobility, and people-to-people exchanges.
