Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes a car ride with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai, Tuesday, February 17, 2026. (Photo: IANS/X/@narendramodi)
Mumbai, February 17 (IANS) India and France on Tuesday took their long-standing friendship to a new level, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron upgraded bilateral ties to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership” during high-level talks.
The announcement signals deeper cooperation in defence, innovation, trade, technology and people-to-people exchanges, with both leaders describing the partnership as a force for global stability and progress, according to the joint press statement.
Welcoming President Macron to Mumbai, often referred to as India’s gateway to the world, Prime Minister Modi said the relationship between the two democracies is built on trust, shared values and a common vision for a multipolar world.
“France has been one of India’s oldest strategic partners, and the two countries are now committed to shaping a partnership that goes beyond traditional diplomacy to drive global peace, prosperity and technological progress,” PM Modi noted.
One of the key outcomes of the visit was the inauguration of the H125 helicopter final assembly line at Vemagal in Karnataka, as per the statement.
The facility will manufacture helicopters in India that are capable of operating at extreme altitudes, including conditions as challenging as Mount Everest.
The helicopters will not only serve Indian requirements but will also be exported worldwide, strengthening India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
The project is expected to generate employment and skilling opportunities for Indian youth and create new avenues for MSMEs to integrate into global supply chains, giving a strong push to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Defence cooperation received a major boost during the visit. India and France renewed their defence cooperation agreement, deepening collaboration and enabling co-design, co-development and co-production of advanced defence platforms.
In a significant move towards localisation, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and France’s Safran will form a joint venture to produce HAMMER precision-guided munitions in India.
The step is expected to strengthen India’s domestic defence industry and reduce dependence on imports while enhancing access to high-precision weaponry.
The two leaders also agreed to establish an annual Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue to regularly review the implementation of the elevated partnership and the Roadmap Horizon 2047.
This mechanism will allow both sides to take stock of ongoing cooperation and focus on people-centric areas such as education, culture, skilling and mobility, ensuring that the benefits of the partnership reach the youth of both nations.
Marking 2026 as the India–France Year of Innovation, the two countries launched the India–France Innovation Network to connect businesses, startups, incubators, research bodies and industry leaders.
In the technology space, both sides announced cooperation in critical minerals, biotechnology and advanced materials.
PM Modi and Macron launch India’s first private-sector helicopter manufacturing facility
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday virtually inaugurated the Final Assembly Line (FAL) for H125 helicopters in Vemagal Industrial Area in Kolar, Karnataka (near Bengaluru).
This is India’s first private-sector helicopter manufacturing facility, and will initially produce 10 H125 helicopters annually, serving both domestic needs and export markets in neighbouring countries.
The plant will initially produce 10 H125 helicopters per year, with the potential to scale up to meet a projected demand of 500 units over the next 20 years. The first "Made in India" H125 is expected to take off from this facility by early 2027.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin are attending the ceremony in person at the facility as part of the India-France Annual Defence Dialogue.
While Tuesday’s spotlight is on helicopters, the partnership is also reaching a critical phase in its fixed-wing operations. The first "Made in India" C295 military transport aircraft is expected to roll out of the Vadodara facility by September 2026.
Out of the 56 aircraft ordered by the IAF, 16 have already been delivered from Spain. The remaining 40 are being manufactured in India. The project has already onboarded 37 Indian suppliers, with roughly 70 per cent of components being sourced domestically.
The H125 is a world-renowned single-engine helicopter famous for its "hot and high" performance (it holds the record for landing on Mt. Everest). It will be used for civil missions, emergency services, and tourism. Plans are already in motion to produce the H125M (the military version) at this same site to support the Indian Armed Forces.
The defence experts said that the dual-track partnership (C295 in Gujarat and H125 in Karnataka) is a central pillar of India's "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) initiative in the aerospace sector.
This collaboration is expected to create over 10,000 jobs and establish a comprehensive ecosystem for high-tech manufacturing, from precision parts to final flight testing.
India-France share vision for multipolar world: President Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday underscored that the India-France relationship has reached a level of mutual trust that is "unique in the world today."
After a morning jog at Marine Drive and a tribute to the 2008 Mumbai terror attack victims, the President joined PM Modi to chart the next decade of the Horizon 2047 roadmap.
After the bilateral meeting, Macron, in his statement, said, “From the deep oceans to the highest mountains, the India-France partnership knows no boundaries. We are not just partners; we are two nations that share a vision for a sovereign, independent, and multipolar world.”
President Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to India’s "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) initiative. Macron welcomed the recent Indian approval for 114 Rafale fighter jets, noting that the majority of these will be "Made in India."
He stated, "Our defence cooperation is not just about a buyer and a seller; it is about building a shared industrial base for the future of global security."
He celebrated the inauguration of the Airbus H125 helicopter assembly line, the first of its kind in India. This facility will produce aircraft capable of operating in the world's most extreme environments, including the Himalayas.
Launching the official India-France Year of Innovation, Macron emphasised that the two nations are no longer just trading goods but trading ideas. He announced new incentives for Indian tech talent and startups to collaborate with French counterparts, particularly in Green Tech and Space.
He noted that 2026 would see a surge in academic and cultural exchanges to bring the youth of both nations closer through shared research and technology.
“Today, Mumbai becomes the capital of our shared future. We are launching 2026 as the Year of Innovation to bridge our research labs, our startups, and our youth. From Green Hydrogen to Space exploration, our goal is to turn 'Indo-French' into a global gold standard for technology,” he remarked.
With the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Macron highlighted the "Marseille to Mumbai" connection. He stated that France and India would lead the world in developing "Sovereign AI" systems that respect democratic values and privacy while driving economic growth for the Global South.
“India and France are the two 'AI Nations' that will define the ethics of the 21st century. We are working together to develop a 'Sovereign AI'—one that serves our citizens and the Global South, ensuring that technology remains a tool for progress, not for control,” he noted.
President Macron echoed PM Modi’s call for peace in conflict zones around the world. He described India as the "central pillar" of France’s Indo-Pacific strategy and emphasised the need for a free and open maritime corridor.
He once again reiterated France’s "unwavering support" for India’s permanent seat at the UN Security Council, calling it a necessity for 21st-century governance.
“In a fragmented world, France and India speak the language of balance. We share the same vision for a multipolar world. This is why France will never waver in its support for India's permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council. The world of today cannot be governed by the rules of yesterday,” said Macron.
The President’s remarks focused on strategic autonomy, the future of AI, and landmark defence deals that have cemented France as India’s premier Western ally.
