SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) | Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) | Ministry of Defence | Department of Science and Technology (DST)
The India-France bilateral relationship has been elevated to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership,” marking a new chapter in their decades-long alliance. During President Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to India for the India AI Impact Summit 2026, both leaders agreed to expand cooperation across critical sectors guided by the Horizon 2047 Roadmap.
A major highlight was the establishment of the Joint Advanced Technology Development Group, a specialized body tasked with co-developing emerging and critical technologies in niche areas to retain a competitive military edge.
Furthermore, the two nations inaugurated the Airbus H125 final assembly line in Karnataka—the first private sector helicopter manufacturing facility in India—and launched the 2026 India-France Year of Innovation to foster deep-tech collaborations between startups and research bodies.
Key Pillars of the Special Global Strategic Partnership
Joint Advanced Technology Development Group: Exploring opportunities to co-develop emerging military and dual-use technologies to mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities.
Defense Industrial Autonomy: Implementing a Defense Industrial Roadmap focused on the co-design and co-production of jet engines, helicopters, and naval systems. Renewing the defense cooperation agreement for 10 years and establishing a joint venture between BEL and Safran to produce HAMMER missiles in India.
Innovation Ecosystems: Launching the India-France Year of Innovation and connecting startups via a digital network to share best practices in AI and quantum computing.
Strategic Autonomy in Space: Deepening collaboration in joint satellite development and human spaceflight programs through expanded MEA-CNES coordination.
Sustainability & Health: Setting up the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health and cooperating on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for the energy transition.
Strategic Resources: Signing a Joint Declaration of Intent for Cooperation in Critical Minerals and Metals to secure supply chains for clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
Economic Connectivity: Amending the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) and expanding UPI’s presence in France to facilitate cross-border trade and investment.
What is the "Joint Advanced Technology Development Group"? The Joint Advanced Technology Development Group is a high-level bilateral body established to drive co-innovation in critical and emerging technologies. Unlike traditional procurement groups, this entity focuses on the co-development of "niche" technologies that are essential for maintaining a competitive military edge and ensuring national sovereignty. By establishing this group, India and France aim to bypass traditional "buyer-seller" frictions, allowing their respective research agencies (such as DRDO and DGA) to work on shared Intellectual Property (IP) for advanced platforms, including aerospace components and cyber-defense systems.
Policy Relevance
The elevation of ties represents a transition from “Buyer-Seller Dynamics” to “Co-Design and Co-Production Autonomy,” where France acts as a primary partner in India’s quest for strategic self-reliance.
Strategic Impact:
Bypassing Procurement Friction: The 10-year renewal of the defense agreement and the Joint Advanced Technology Group provide the “Techno-Legal” certainty needed to move away from ad-hoc purchases toward integrated supply chains.
Standardizing “Year of Innovation” Metrics: Launching the India-France Innovation Network acts as a “Standard Maker” move, providing a template for how India’s informal workforce can be upskilled via the new National Centre of Excellence in Aeronautics.
Operationalizing Critical Mineral Security: The Joint Declaration on Critical Minerals ensures that the $200 billion AI investment pipeline is supported by a resilient domestic supply of the metals required for high-performance hardware.
Federal Educational Mobility: The goal to welcome 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030 provides the “Talent Pipeline” required to support the $354 billion services surplus through high-tech research and global exposure.
Implementation Fidelity via UPI Expansion: France’s role as the first European country to offer UPI facilitates “Digital Diplomacy,” allowing for seamless small-value transactions for the Indian diaspora and businesses in the EU.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: What bilateral protocols should the Ministry of External Affairs establish to ensure that the goal of 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030 translates into a "Circular Brain Gain," where researchers retain active links with the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT)?
Follow the full joint statement here: India-France Joint Statement 2026