New Delhi: India and France unveiled a broad agenda to deepen cooperation across innovation, defence, artificial intelligence, space, civil nuclear energy and economic security as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Nice.
The discussions resulted in the adoption of the Innovation Roadmap 2030, a long-term framework aimed at expanding collaboration in technology, research, startups and economic growth. The two countries also announced the launch of the Bharat Innovates initiative, which will connect Indian startups and innovators with French and European investors, with a focus on sectors such as deep-tech, semiconductors, agri-tech, med-tech and renewable energy.
The leaders agreed to establish a Joint India-France AI Working Group and welcomed the growing acceptance of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in France. Nineteen new agreements linking the innovation ecosystems of both countries were also signed.
Defence cooperation remained high on the agenda, with both sides agreeing to move beyond traditional procurement models and strengthen collaboration in the co-design, co-development and co-production of advanced defence platforms and technologies.
India and France also discussed expanding cooperation in the space sector through greater private-sector participation, human spaceflight programmes and space situational awareness initiatives. In the civil nuclear domain, the two sides explored opportunities arising from India’s SHANTI Act, particularly in the development of small and advanced modular reactors.
The leaders welcomed the launch of a dialogue on economic security and discussed measures to strengthen resilient supply chains, including cooperation on critical minerals.
In a boost to India’s aviation ecosystem, both countries welcomed an agreement to establish a Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics in Kanpur. Cooperation frameworks were also outlined for small and medium enterprises, aviation and railways.
The visit also focused on strengthening educational and cultural ties. Modi invited French universities to establish offshore campuses in India under the National Education Policy and thanked Macron for facilitating visa-free transit for Indian nationals at French airports.
During the visit, Macron shared a video montage of Modi’s engagements in France on X, using the popular Dhurandhar track Aari Aari as the soundtrack. The post attracted significant attention online, adding a Bollywood flavour to the high-level diplomatic visit.
Earlier, Macron had highlighted France’s innovation ambitions in a separate post, writing, “France has all the assets: it lacks neither talent nor energy!”
The two leaders also viewed an exhibition by French artists Thibault De La Lance and Thophile de Bascher, featuring works created during a residency programme in Jaipur. Discussions covered enhanced cooperation between museums and heritage institutions, including the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal.
On global issues, Modi and Macron exchanged views on developments in Ukraine and West Asia. Modi also conveyed his anticipation for the upcoming G7 Summit in Evian and thanked Macron for involving India in preparatory discussions.
Following the talks, Macron hosted a luncheon in honour of the Prime Minister.
BI Bureau
