Strategic Upgrade To Innovation Push: 21 Big Takeaways From Macron's India Visit

Last Updated:February 17, 2026, 21:19 IST

PM Modi hosted Macron for wide-ranging talks in Mumbai, hours after the French leader arrived on a three-day visit to India.

India and France on Tuesday elevated their ties to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership", with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron agreeing to deepen cooperation in defence, trade and technology.

Prime Minister Modi hosted Macron for talks in Mumbai during the French leader’s three-day visit to India from February 17 to 19. Macron is also attending the AI Impact Summit.

“India and France share a very special relationship," PM Modi said in a statement. “On the basis of this same trust and shared vision, today we are establishing our relationship as a ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’."

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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) released a list of 21 outcomes from the visit, covering political, defence, economic and technology sectors.

21 Key Takeaways From Macron’s Visit

Upgrade of ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership.Creation of an annual Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue to review progress.Launch of the India-France Year of Innovation.Launch of the India-France Innovation Network.Inauguration of the H125 helicopter final assembly line in Karnataka.Renewal of the India-France Defence Cooperation Agreement.Joint venture between BEL and Safran to produce HAMMER missiles in India.Reciprocal deployment of officers between the Indian Army and French Land Forces.Formation of a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group.Declaration of intent on cooperation in critical minerals and metals.Plan to establish a Centre on Advanced Materials between DST and CNRS.Amendment to the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement.Cooperation between T-Hub and Nord France on start-up ecosystems.Scientific collaboration agreement between DST and CNRS.Plan to establish an Indo-French Centre for Digital Sciences and Technology.Launch of the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health at AIIMS, New Delhi.Cooperation between DBT and ANRS on infectious diseases and global health research.Establishment of an Indo-French Centre for Metabolic Health Sciences.Plan for a Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics.Renewal of cooperation on renewable energy.Letter of intent between India Post and La Poste, France.

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