Page 47 - NIS English 16-31 March, 2026
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India-France Relations | INTERNATIONAL
France is one of India’s oldest strategic
partners, and together with President
Macron, we have given this strategic
partnership unprecedented depth and
energy. Based on this trust and shared
vision, today we are establishing
our relationship as a Special Global
Important Agreements in Strategic Partnership. This partnership
the Field of Helicopters is not just strategic. In today’s
and Jet Engines turbulent era, it is a partnership for
India and France welcomed the contract for the global stability and global progress
purchase of Rafale Marine fighter jets. They Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
agreed to further strengthen their partnership in
defence aviation, particularly in the manufacturing
of fighter aircraft and their engines under the Two of the world’s major innovation hubs (India
‘Make in India’ initiative. The ongoing partnership and France) are coming together. The relationship
between Safran and HAL for the development of between the two countries is based on shared values
the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) was also
discussed. Both sides welcomed the inauguration of innovation and trust. In line with this vision, the two
of the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) countries have decided to celebrate the year 2026 as
facility for the LEAP engine, the establishment of the India-France Year of Innovation. This year, India
an MRO facility for the M-88 engines mounted on and France will host several impressive collaboration
Rafale aircraft, and the joint venture with Bharat events in diverse areas such as innovation, science
Electronics Limited for the production of Hammer and technology, cyberspace, artificial intelligence,
missiles in India.
Both leaders also jointly inaugurated the H125 healthcare, sustainable development, culture, the
Final Assembly Line, a first-of-its-kind private creative economy, and research and education. These
sector helicopter manufacturing facility in India, a events aim to enrich existing collaborations between
historic make-in-India milestone, that will combine startups, academic institutions, research bodies, and
the strength of TATA Advanced Systems and industry, while also creating new opportunities.
Airbus to serve India’s growing market and export In a joint statement, PM Modi said that within a
to third countries. Prime Minister Modi appreciated
the growing interest on the French side in India’s decade, thanks to the Startup India programme,
Pinaka MBRL. India has become the world’s third-largest startup
ecosystem. In 2014, India had only four unicorns, but
today there are over 120 unicorns, with a total value
Invitation to PM Modi exceeding $350 billion. Today, nearly every major
technology company in the world is connected in
President Macron extended an invitation to Prime some way to Indian startups and innovation. PM Modi
Minister Narendra Modi to participate in the G7
Summit to be hosted by France in 2026 and invited said that when India’s speed and scale combine with
India to participate actively in the discussions and France’s strength, new pathways open for the world.
preparatory work ahead of the Summit, mainly on Today, the best minds from both countries have come
the key issues of tackling global macroeconomic together. Both nations are welcoming each other’s
imbalances and defining a new paradigm for talent with open hearts. France has set a goal of
international partnerships and solidarity.
hosting 30,000 Indian students by 2030. n
March 16-31, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 45
