India–France Special Global Strategic Partnership Announced

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Narendra Modi and Emmanuel Macron elevate ties during AI Impact Summit 2026, deepen defence, nuclear and Indo-Pacific cooperation

By TRH Foreign Affairs Desk

New Delhi, February 18, 2026 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron elevated bilateral ties to a India–France Special Global Strategic Partnership. The announcement unveils a powerful geopolitical alignment amid rising global instability.

During Macron’s fourth official visit to India (February 17–19), the two leaders held high-level talks and jointly inaugurated the 2026 India–France Year of Innovation in Mumbai while participating in the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit 2026.

The upgraded partnership builds on the Horizon 2047 Roadmap and reflects shared ambitions to shape a rules-based international order, strengthen economic security and reinforce strategic autonomy.

Defence, Rafale-Marine and Advanced Tech Push

“France remains one of India’s foremost defence partners. Both sides agreed to intensify co-design, co-development and co-production of advanced defence systems,” said a media statement released by New Delhi.

The leaders welcomed progress on the procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets and expanded cooperation in helicopter and jet engine manufacturing under Make in India. Collaboration between Safran and Indian partners, submarine cooperation under the Scorpène program, and new defence technology development frameworks were highlighted in the joint statement issued by India and France.

They also agreed to constitute a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group to co-develop emerging and critical technologies.

AI, Nuclear Energy and Global Governance

“Building on the 2025 AI Action Summit in Paris, both leaders reaffirmed commitment to secure and trustworthy AI. They pledged to bridge the global AI divide and democratize AI resources,” stated PIB in its readout on the joint statement.

In nuclear energy, Macron lauded India’s ambitious 100 GW nuclear target by 2047. Discussions progressed on the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant and cooperation in Small Modular Reactors, added the joint statement. It added that “France reiterated firm support for India’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council and backed reformed multilateralism.”

Indo-Pacific and Global Security

Both nations reaffirmed commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, cooperation on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), and counter-terror coordination following recent attacks in India.

“Macron invited Modi to the 2026 G7 Summit hosted by France, marking India’s growing role in shaping global economic and security architecture,” added the joint statement.

The India–France Special Global Strategic Partnership now sets the stage for deeper defence, climate, digital, trade and cultural cooperation through 2047.