Beyond Defence: The Expanding India-France Partnership in Technology and Innovation

On 14 June 2026, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held extensive bilateral talks at the historic Villa Kerylos in Nice, France, marking a transformative milestone in the newly elevated India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership. Strategically timed with the joint inauguration of the "Bharat Innovates 2026" conclave, this high-level meeting yielded pioneering agreements spanning civil nuclear energy, defence co-production, and digital public infrastructure. The deliberations highlighted a mutual commitment to strategic autonomy, translating shared diplomatic values into concrete frameworks for sustainable global technology and industrial collaboration.

Jointly Launching the "Bharat Innovates 2026" Conclave

The official visit commenced in Nice with the joint inauguration of the maiden edition of "Bharat Innovates 2026" at the Palais des Expositions. Organised as a cornerstone of the India-France Year of Innovation—originally launched in Mumbai in February 2026—the three-day conclave brought together over 120 Indian deep-tech start-ups, more than 20 Indian higher education institutions and Institutes of Excellence, and approximately 500 global investors, venture capitalists, and business leaders.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi emphasised that the relationship between the two nations is driven not merely by commercial interests, but by a shared vision, mutual trust, and deep-rooted strategic alignment. He noted that the Indo-French bond serves as a "force for global good" that has successfully transitioned from security to sustainability, as exemplified by the International Solar Alliance.

The Prime Minister outlined the transformative potential of deep-tech solutions, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and satellite technology for rural development, advanced manufacturing for sustainable living, and green hydrogen, battery technologies, and electric mobility for clean development. He called upon the global entrepreneurial community to develop technologies that are "trusted, inclusive, and human-centric", adding that start-ups must be evaluated by their positive impact on humanity rather than market valuation alone.

President Macron praised India's vibrant innovation ecosystem and remarked that the hosting of the first-ever Bharat Innovates event outside India is a powerful testament to the strength of bilateral ties. He highlighted the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission as a demonstration of India's robust research and execution capabilities, noting that the primary question is no longer whether India is innovating, but "who will innovate with India".

Deepening Defence Partnerships and Aerospace Skilling

During their formal talks, the leaders expressed satisfaction with the growth and depth of bilateral defence co-operation across all domains. They resolved to intensify this relationship by transitioning from traditional procurement towards the co-design, co-development, and co-production of advanced defence platforms and next-generation military technologies.

The underlying theme of the defence discussions was the maximisation of local content and local manufacturing within India, aligned with the "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiatives. Under this framework, the leaders reviewed progress in major sectors, including negotiations regarding India's multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) project, which encompasses the acquisition of 114 combat jets. Under the proposed arrangement, 18 Rafale jets will be supplied by Dassault Aviation in a fly-away condition, while the remaining 96 will be manufactured in India with at least 50 per cent indigenous content.

To support the secure handling of sensitive military and technology exchanges, both nations signed a General Security Agreement on the Exchange and Protection of Classified Information. Furthermore, they welcomed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Allied Sectors at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) in Kanpur, reinforcing India’s domestic aerospace engineering ecosystem.

Expanding Space and Civil Nuclear Frontiers

Building upon six decades of successful space co-operation, India’s Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and France’s Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES) signed a Letter of Intent to collaborate on microgravity research and human space exploration. The leaders also discussed expanding private-sector partnerships in space, as well as advancing joint initiatives in space situational awareness to ensure long-term orbital sustainability.

In the civil nuclear energy sector, a major policy breakthrough was highlighted. The leaders noted that India’s Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act has created unprecedented opportunities for industrial collaboration. By permitting private sector participation and reforming liability frameworks, the SHANTI Act has opened the field for the French state-run multinational Electricite de France (EDF) and other French nuclear enterprises to directly engage with Indian private and public sector companies.

This new legal framework is expected to accelerate active discussions between EDF and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) on the technical and financial aspects of the proposed nuclear power project at Jaitapur in Maharashtra. Additionally, it has opened a promising new vein of bilateral dialogue on the development and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs).

Strengthening Economic Security and Doubling Bilateral Trade

To protect vital economic interests amidst shifting global supply chains, the two countries officially instituted a Dialogue on Economic Security. This dialogue will focus on strategic sectors such as critical minerals, semiconductors, critical technologies, energy, and cybersecurity, with the primary objective of enhancing supply chain resilience.

Reviewing progress under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, the leaders agreed to establish a High-level Mechanism to double bilateral trade within the next five years. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached approximately 15.81 billion US dollars during the 2025-26 fiscal year, and both leaders noted that the early implementation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement would offer a unique opportunity to expand commercial flows and bilateral investment.

To support infrastructural modernisation, they signed a Declaration of Intent on Co-operation on Railway and High-speed Railway Development in India, aiming to strengthen supply chains and foster partnerships between Indian and French industrial entities.

Advancing Digital Public Infrastructure, AI Governance, and Innovation

To guide their technological partnership over the next decade, India and France formally adopted the "India-France Innovation Roadmap 2030". Under this framework, the two nations signed 19 bilateral agreements linking key institutions in their respective innovation ecosystems.

A central pillar of this roadmap is the creation of a Joint India-France AI Working Group focused on AI governance. The working group will provide a structured platform for collaboration on research, capacity building, and standardisation to promote safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems aligned with democratic values. The leaders also welcomed the steady expansion of India's real-time digital payment system, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), in France. In a significant step for travellers, it was announced that UPI services are being expanded to international airports in Nice and Paris.

Further institutional agreements signed during the summit include:

• Station F Incubation: The incubation of an additional 10 Indian deep-tech and AI start-ups at Station F in Paris to grant them access to European capital, mentors, and corporate networks.

• Centre of Digital Sciences: Established between India's Department of Science and Technology (DST) and France's Institut National de Recherche en Sciences et Technologies du Numérique (INRIA) to support joint digital research and talent mobility.

• Academic Chairs: The establishment of an ICCR India Chair on "AI, Innovation and Culture" at Université Paris-Saclay to foster academic knowledge-sharing.

• Health Data Collaboration: A Letter of Intent between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Health Data Hub of France to launch secure, consent-based health data research projects.

Enhancing Talent Mobility and Cultural Bridges

The leaders strongly emphasised the importance of deepening people-to-people ties. Prime Minister Modi formally thanked President Macron for the swift operationalisation of visa-free transit for Indian nationals at French airports, which has significantly eased travel. They discussed expanding the mutual recognition of educational qualifications and enhancing student mobility, with the Prime Minister inviting French universities to open campuses in India under the New Education Policy.

To promote heritage preservation, the leaders agreed to enhance institutional co-operation between national museums, specifically highlighting joint initiatives involving the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, Gujarat. Following their formal discussions, which also included a shared exchange of perspectives on global challenges in West Asia and Ukraine, President Macron hosted a lunch in honour of the visiting Prime Minister. Prime Minister Modi expressed his anticipation for the upcoming G7 Summit in Evian and thanked the French President for engaging India in substantive preparatory discussions.