New Delhi/Mumbai, India — Emmanuel Macron and Narendra Modi held high-level bilateral talks on Tuesday, reaffirming their commitment to deepen economic cooperation and strengthen strategic ties amid global uncertainty and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
The meeting in Mumbai highlighted the expanding India–France partnership, which now spans defense, trade, technology, space, nuclear energy, and critical minerals. France has emerged as one of India’s most trusted European partners as New Delhi seeks to diversify supply chains and attract greater foreign investment.
“India–France partnership knows no boundary. In today’s era of uncertainties, this partnership is a force for global stability and progress,” Modi said during a joint press conference.
Defense and Strategic Cooperation at the Core
Defense remains the backbone of bilateral ties. India recently granted preliminary approval for military acquisitions worth nearly $40 billion, including 114 Rafale fighter jets from France. India already operates two Rafale squadrons and last year signed a deal for 26 naval variants for its aircraft carriers.
Maintaining air superiority is critical for India as it navigates complex security challenges along its borders with nuclear-armed neighbors Pakistan and China.
The two leaders also virtually inaugurated a final assembly line for H125 helicopters in Karnataka — a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus — marking India’s first private-sector helicopter manufacturing facility.
Expanding Economic and Technology Partnership
Macron described the relationship as being in a “phase of acceleration” in response to the evolving global order. Key sectors identified for deeper collaboration include:
- Space and satellite technology
- Nuclear energy
- Rare earth and critical minerals
- Aeronautics and high-speed rail
- Artificial intelligence and innovation
Macron also voiced support for accelerating negotiations toward a free-trade agreement between India and the European Union.
Bilateral trade crossed $15 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2025, making France India’s third-largest trading partner within the EU, according to Indian government data.
Global Issues and Indo-Pacific Vision
The leaders discussed ongoing global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. Macron invited Modi to attend the upcoming G7 Summit in Evian in June and urged closer cooperation to push for humanitarian ceasefires.
“As the ceasefire remains difficult to achieve, we could join efforts to secure an immediate and lasting moratorium on strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure,” Macron said.
Modi reiterated India’s consistent position advocating dialogue and peaceful resolution to conflicts in Western Asia and Eastern Europe.
With shared interests in the Indo-Pacific and a commitment to multipolar global stability, the Modi–Macron meeting underscored a partnership that continues to grow in scale, ambition, and strategic importance.
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