India–France Relations Elevated to Special Global Strategic Partnership

When was the India–France bilateral relationship elevated to a Special Global Strategic Partnership?

17 February 2026, during PM Narendra Modi's and President Emmanuel Macron's Mumbai talks.

What was the earlier India–France strategic partnership established in?

1998.

What major India–France initiative was launched during the 2026 visit?

The India–France Year of Innovation 2026, covering science, technology, cybersecurity, AI, healthcare, development, culture and education.

What new mechanism was established to review the India–France partnership regularly?

An Annual Foreign Ministers' Comprehensive Dialogue.

What is the long-term India–France roadmap extending to 2047?

The Horizon 2047 Roadmap, adopted during the 25th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership in 2023.

What are the three core pillars of the India–France Strategic Partnership?

Strategic autonomy, non-interference in internal affairs, and independent foreign policies.

Why is France strategically important to India?

France is India's second-largest arms supplier, third-largest EU trading partner, and 11th-largest foreign investor.

What is the significance of the India–France H125 helicopter project?

It is a first-of-its-kind private-sector helicopter manufacturing facility in India, combining Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus.

Where is the India–France H125 helicopter final assembly line being established?

In Karnataka.

When is delivery of the first Made-in-India H125 helicopter expected?

In early 2027.

For what market is the Made-in-India H125 helicopter expected to be exported?

The South Asian market.

Which two companies are involved in the H125 helicopter project?

Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus.

Which Indian and French companies formed a joint venture to produce HAMMER missiles in India?

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran.

What facilities for Rafale aircraft and engines are being developed under India–France defence cooperation?

MRO facilities for LEAP engines and M-88 engines mounted on Rafale aircraft.

What fighter aircraft cooperation did India and France reaffirm in 2026?

Cooperation on Rafale-Marine fighter jets and strengthening fighter/aircraft engine manufacturing under the Make in India initiative.

What Indian naval helicopter project involves HAL and Airbus?

The Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) project, along with India's Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher cooperation.

Which India–France submarine programme was highlighted at the 2026 summit?

The Scorpène submarine programme (P75–Kalvari class).

When was India's sixth Scorpène submarine delivered to the Indian Navy?

15 January 2025.

What is the name of the joint group created to explore emerging defence technologies?

The Joint Advanced Technology Development Group.

Which two countries signed a Technical Arrangement on cooperation in defence technologies?

India and France, through the DGA and DRDO, in November 2025.

What were the three major India–France military exercises held in 2025?

Varuna (Navy), Shakti (Army), and Garuda (Air Force).

Which India–France military exercise is associated with their navies?

Varuna.

Which India–France military exercise is associated with their armies?

Shakti.

Which India–France military exercise is associated with their air forces?

Garuda.

What counter-terrorism cooperation was established between India and France?

A Letter of Intent between India's National Security Guard (NSG) and France's GIGN for cooperation against terrorism.

What did India and France reaffirm regarding terrorism?

Their commitment to combating terrorism and violent extremism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism.

What major counter-terrorism conference did France agree to host in 2026?

The No Money for Terror (NMFT) Conference in Paris.

What is the target for India's nuclear power capacity by 2047?

100 GW.

Which Indian law enabled recent reforms allowing greater private investment in nuclear energy?

The SHANTI Act, 2025.

What is the proposed nuclear energy investment associated with India's 100 GW target?

About ₹20,000 crore under the Nuclear Energy Mission.

What nuclear technologies are covered by the 2025 India–France cooperation declaration?

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs).

What French and Indian institutions signed the SMR/AMR cooperation declaration?

France's CEA and India's Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

What nuclear project was discussed under the India–France Special Task Force?

The Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant Project.

What climate temperature goals did India and France reaffirm?

Keeping global warming well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels while pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.

Which major ocean-related treaty's implementation did India and France support?

The Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).

What is the purpose of the BBNJ Agreement?

To conserve and sustainably use marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

What space agencies cooperate under the India–France partnership?

France's CNES and India's ISRO.

Which joint satellite mission is maintained by India and France?

TRISHNA (Thermal Infrared Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural Resource Assessment).

What was significant about India's participation in the International Space Summit in 2026?

India confirmed participation, while France was scheduled to host the summit in July 2026.

What is the India–France Innovation Network?

A digital platform connecting innovation ecosystems, startups, businesses and incubators in India and France.

Which institutions planned an India–France digital sciences and technology centre?

INRIA and India's Department of Science and Technology (DST).

What AI principles did India and France reaffirm?

Secure, trustworthy and people-centric AI serving public interest and the planet, with openness and efforts to bridge the global AI divide.

What are the major milestones in the historical evolution of India–France relations?

17th-century trade; 1947 diplomatic relations; 1962 French transfer of sovereignty; 1998 Strategic Partnership; 2015 cooperation on solar energy.

What happened between India and France in 1962?

France ceded sovereignty over its remaining Indian territories to India after ratification of the treaty of cession.

What major solar-energy initiative did India and France promote in 2015?

The International Solar Alliance (ISA), promoting low-carbon renewable solar energy technologies.

What was India's bilateral trade with France in 2024–25?

More than €12.67 billion.

How much had France cumulatively invested in India from April 2000 to March 2025?

About €9.79 billion, accounting for 1.61% of total FDI inflows into India.

What was welcomed regarding the EU–India economic relationship?

The conclusion of the EU–India Free Trade Agreement, expected to expand economic collaboration and strengthen resilient value chains.

What was agreed regarding critical minerals between India and France?

A Joint Declaration on cooperation in exploration, extraction, processing and recycling of critical minerals.

What is the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)?

A connectivity and trade corridor whose transformative potential for global trade and connectivity India and France reaffirmed.

What educational target did France and India set for Indian students?

France aims to welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030, up from around 10,000 currently.

What initiative facilitates Indian school students' access to French universities?

The International Classes initiative.

What major cultural institution project is being developed with France?

The Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum, with France Muséums Développement involved in its development.

What cultural festival was announced for 2028?

Namaste France 2028, marking 30 years of the India–France Strategic Partnership.

What permanent multilateral position did France reaffirm support for India?

India's permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

What was France's position on the Russia–Ukraine conflict?

It supported cessation of hostilities and a comprehensive, just and lasting peace through dialogue and diplomacy, respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.

What was the India–France position on the Gaza conflict?

Support for implementation of the Peace Plan consistent with UNSC Resolution 2803 and the New York Declaration, including rapid humanitarian aid.

What Indo-Pacific framework did India and France reaffirm their commitment to?

A free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific, including cooperation through IPOI and IORA.

What trilateral cooperation formats involving India and France were welcomed?

Cooperation with Australia and the UAE, aimed at advancing mutually identified areas.

What major naval/strategic cooperation was referenced through the 2026 partnership?

Maritime security, cybersecurity, hybrid threats, space and counter-terrorism cooperation.

Which defence procurement agreement preceded the India–France Rafale relationship?

The 23 September 2016 Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for 36 Rafale aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

What was the value of India's 2016 Rafale deal with France?

Approximately €7.87 billion for 36 Rafale aircraft, including weapons, simulators and long-term maintenance support.

What was announced regarding additional Rafale aircraft in 2025?

A major naval aviation purchase of 26 Rafale-Marine jets for the Indian Navy, with deliveries planned from 2030.

What is the significance of the India–France relationship's elevation to Special Global Strategic Partnership?

It broadens cooperation beyond defence into nuclear energy, technology, AI, space, climate, trade, education, culture and global governance.