India, France Elevate Ties to ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’ at AI Impact Summit 2026.
New Delhi:
India and France on Tuesday elevated their bilateral relationship to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership” following wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron during the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
President Macron, on a three-day official visit from February 17–19, participated in the summit and jointly inaugurated the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 in Mumbai. The visit marks Macron’s fourth trip to India and follows Prime Minister Modi’s visit to France in 2025.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in defence, space, civil nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, cyber security and critical technologies. They agreed to intensify co-design and co-production of advanced defence platforms and strengthen collaboration in emerging technologies to boost strategic autonomy.
France reiterated strong support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council. Both leaders emphasized a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific, called for effective multilateralism and expressed concern over global conflicts, including Ukraine and Gaza.
The partnership also expands cooperation in climate action, clean energy, trade, education, health and people-to-people exchanges, setting an ambitious roadmap toward 2047.
