India and France Sign MoU to Boost Digital Technology Collaboration

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty of the French Republic on cooperation in the field of digital technologies. This development marks a formal expansion of the strategic digital partnership between the two nations, building upon the foundation established through the Indo-French Roadmap on Cyber Security and Digital Technology announced in 2019.​

Scope and Objectives of the Partnership

The MoU intends to promote closer cooperation and exchange of information pertaining to digital technologies, mutually supporting each participant's goal to promote access to digital technology in their respective countries. This framework establishes a mechanism for both government-to-government and business-to-business bilateral cooperation in the field of digital technologies. The agreement envisages improved collaboration leading to employment opportunities in the field of information technology.​

Implementation Framework

The cooperation under this MoU will commence on the date of its signature by both participants and will last five years. This timeframe provides a structured period for the implementation of collaborative initiatives while allowing for evaluation and potential renewal based on outcomes achieved. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has been mandated to promote international cooperation in the emerging and frontier areas of information technology under bilateral and regional frameworks of cooperation.​

Context and Background

India and France are long-standing partners in the Indo-European region, committed to nurturing a thriving digital ecosystem and building collaboration that empowers their citizens and ensures their full participation in the digital century. Based on the Indo-French Roadmap on Cyber Security and Digital Technology announced in 2019, both nations are pursuing ambitious bilateral cooperation on advanced digital technologies, particularly in the fields of supercomputing, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, including in the framework of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence.​

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has entered into MoUs and agreements with counterpart organizations and agencies of various countries on bilateral or multilateral basis. In the changing global paradigm, there exists an imminent need for exploring business opportunities and attracting investment in the digital sector through such mutual cooperation.​

Significance for Bilateral Relations

The signed India and France MoU represents a key development in India-France relations as it formalizes the commitment of both nations to collaborate on emerging technologies that are shaping the future of digital economies. The agreement provides a structured framework for knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and joint innovation initiatives that can benefit citizens and businesses in both countries. By enhancing both governmental and business-level cooperation, the MoU creates pathways for increased investment flows, technology partnerships, and capacity building in critical digital domains.

The approval of this agreement underscores the recognition by both governments that digital technologies are central to economic growth, social development, and global competitiveness. Through this cooperation, India and France aim to leverage their respective strengths in technology innovation and deployment to address shared challenges and opportunities in the digital sphere.