French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to India has marked a historic milestone in bilateral relations, with both nations elevating their partnership to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership.” The visit concluded with 21 key outcomes, spanning defence manufacturing, advanced technology, healthcare, innovation, and economic cooperation.
Aligned with their ambitious “Horizon 2047” roadmaps, India and France have committed to deeper tech transfers, AI integration, critical minerals collaboration, and strengthened defence ties—laying the groundwork for shared innovation and global stability.
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the transformative agreements announced during the Modi-Macron meeting:
Strategic and Political Cooperation
- Upgraded Bilateral Ties: India and France formally elevated their relationship to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership.”
- Annual Foreign Ministers Dialogue: A new institutional mechanism will monitor progress on the partnership and the Horizon 2047 roadmap.
Defence and Security Cooperation
- Helicopter Manufacturing: Inauguration of the H125 Helicopter Final Assembly Line at Vemagal, Karnataka, boosting India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
- HAMMER Missile Joint Venture: BEL and Safran announced a joint venture to manufacture HAMMER missiles in India.
- Military Integration: Reciprocal deployment of officers in Indian Army and French Land Forces institutions to enhance interoperability.
- Defence Pact Renewal: Formal renewal of the Agreement on Defence Cooperation.
Technology, Innovation, and Startups
- India-France Year of Innovation: Official launch to boost joint research, startups, and technology development.
- Startup Cooperation: Strategic partnership between Hyderabad’s T-Hub and Nord France to foster startup ecosystems.
- Advanced Materials Centre: Letter of Intent to establish a Centre on Advanced Materials between India’s DST and France’s CNRS.
- Digital Sciences Centre: Creation of an Indo-French Centre for Digital Sciences and Technology.
- Indo-French Innovation Network: Official launch to connect innovators and institutions.
Critical Minerals and Emerging Technologies
- Critical Minerals Cooperation: Joint Declaration of Intent to secure supply chains for critical minerals and metals.
- Advanced Defence Technology Group: Establishment of a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group focused on emerging defence technologies.
- Scientific Research MoU: New agreement for scientific collaboration between India’s DST and France’s CNRS.
Healthcare and Life Sciences
- AI in Healthcare: Launch of the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health at AIIMS, New Delhi.
- Metabolic Health Sciences: Agreement to set up an Indo-French Centre for Metabolic Health Sciences.
- Infectious Diseases Research: Cooperation between India’s DBT and France’s ANRS on global health and infectious disease research.
Economy, Energy, and Infrastructure
- Taxation Protocol: Amendment to the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement to ease trade and investment flows.
- Renewable Energy Cooperation: Renewal of the MoU on renewable energy collaboration.
- Aeronautics Skilling: Plan to establish a National Centre of Excellence for Aeronautics Skilling.
- Postal Cooperation: Letter of Intent between India Post and France’s La Poste to enhance postal and logistics collaboration.
A New Era in Indo-French Relations
The sweeping agreements underscore a major shift toward joint innovation, defence manufacturing, AI-driven healthcare, and secure critical mineral supply chains. As India and France align their long-term development visions under Horizon 2047, the partnership is set to shape technological, economic, and strategic outcomes well into the mid-21st century.