India and France have upgraded their relationship to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership”. It starts a new chapter in cooperation between the two democracies. Announced during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India, the enhanced ties aim not only to strengthen bilateral collaborations across defence, technology and trade but also to project stability and progress on the global stage. Leaders from both nations said the move reflects shared values, common aspirations and a commitment to addressing emerging global challenges together.
A strategic makeover for global challenges
According to The Tribune, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Macron jointly unveiled the upgraded partnership during talks in Mumbai on February 17, 2026. Modi described the enhanced ties as a response to an uncertain world, emphasising that the India-France alliance is a force for global stability and shared progress. The leaders jointly inaugurated the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, a series of initiatives designed to foster collaboration in science, technology, AI, health, aeronautics and education.
Under the new framework, both countries agreed to expand cooperation beyond traditional diplomatic ties into areas such as critical minerals, advanced materials, clean energy and startup ecosystems, reflecting a strategic shift towards innovation-driven economic partnerships. Educational and cultural exchanges are also being prioritised to deepen people-to-people connections, moving the partnership beyond leadership circles to grassroots levels.
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Defence, industry and technological synergy
Defence cooperation remains a cornerstone of the Special Global Strategic Partnership. Leaders celebrated the inauguration of a helicopter assembly facility in Karnataka, capable of producing the world’s only utility helicopter designed to operate at Mount Everest altitudes. This facility is a collaboration between Indian and French aerospace companies. It is expected to create jobs, enhance skilling and bolster India’s indigenous manufacturing capabilities.
In addition, agreements were announced to strengthen defence cooperation, including joint ventures in missile production and shared training exercises. Both nations have also committed to expanding collaboration in digital science, AI in health, critical minerals and space technologies, laying down a roadmap for future technological breakthroughs and sustainable development.
The upgraded partnership reflects a broader geopolitical vision. A multipolar world anchored in democratic values, a rules-based order and collaborative solutions to global issues. Modi and Macron underlined their shared support for peace efforts in hotspots like West Asia and Ukraine, along with cooperation in global forums to reform international institutions and promote equitable development.
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The joint framework also aims to enhance economic resilience through mutual support for trusted supply chains, including critical minerals essential for green technologies and advanced manufacturing. By combining France’s technological expertise with India’s market scale and innovation potential, the two nations are positioning themselves as influential partners in shaping 21st-century global governance and prosperity.
