India-France Foreign Office Consultations Review Strategic Partnership (13 April 2026)
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India and France held a new round of Foreign Office Consultations in Paris on 13 April 2026, reviewing the full spectrum of their Special Global Strategic Partnership and agreeing to advance cooperation in defence, high technology, economic security and people-to-people exchanges. The talks were co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri and Mr Martin Briens, Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, with Misri also calling on French Foreign Minister Mr Jean-Noël Barrot and meeting Mr Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Adviser to the President of France.
According to the official press release issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs on mea.gov.in and updates shared on X by the Ministry of External Affairs (@MEAIndia) and the Embassy of India in France (@IndiaInFrance / @IndiaEmbFrance), the consultations focused on taking forward outcomes from President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India in February 2026 and the elevation of ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership.
Reviewing the Special Global Strategic Partnership
Both sides undertook a comprehensive review of progress across all facets of the bilateral relationship in the context of the upgraded Special Global Strategic Partnership and recent high-level exchanges. They discussed key deliverables, including the 2026 “India–France Year of Innovation”, cooperation on economic security, and a shared ambition to increase the crossflow of STEM talent, particularly by facilitating more Indian students in France.
The consultations also noted the goal of doubling bilateral trade, especially in light of the conclusion of negotiations on the India–EU Free Trade Agreement, which both sides see as an important framework for deepening economic engagement.
Strategic and high-technology cooperation
The discussions covered a wide range of strategic sectors, including defence, civil nuclear energy, space, cyber and digital technologies, artificial intelligence and institutional dialogue mechanisms that support regular exchanges between the two systems. Officials from both countries reviewed ongoing projects and cooperation formats in these areas, underlining their importance for long-term security and technological partnerships.
People-to-people exchanges and cultural ties were also highlighted, with reference to initiatives such as the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Paris and joint cultural programmes that aim to bring the two societies closer.
Regional and global issues
India and France exchanged views on a number of regional and global developments, including cooperation on environment, climate change and health, as well as their engagement in the Indo-Pacific. They discussed trilateral dialogues, joint development projects in third countries, and current situations in West Asia and Ukraine, reflecting a shared interest in stability and rules-based approaches to international challenges.
The French side noted India’s role as a key partner in addressing global macroeconomic and geopolitical issues, while both countries reaffirmed their commitment to work together in multilateral forums.
Next steps and future dialogue
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Secretary-General Martin Briens agreed to meet again for the Strategic Space Dialogue, scheduled to take place later this year, to continue detailed discussions on space cooperation. The visit to Paris forms part of Misri’s broader European engagement, including consultations in Berlin, and reflects the continued pattern of regular high-level contact that underpins the India–France relationship.
Through these consultations, India and France reiterated that their Special Global Strategic Partnership will remain anchored in close political dialogue, strategic cooperation, economic partnership and growing links between their peoples.
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