Key Highlights of the Modi-Macron Bilateral Meeting
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held extensive talks in Nice on Sunday, resulting in several landmark agreements aimed at deepening the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership. The discussions covered trade, defence, space, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and people-to-people ties.
Trade and Economic Cooperation
Both leaders noted the steady growth in bilateral trade, currently at $16 billion, and agreed to set up a high-level mechanism to double it within five years. They called for early implementation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement to further expand trade and investment. New initiatives include a Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics in Kanpur and a Dialogue on Economic Security to strengthen supply chain resilience in critical minerals.
Defence Collaboration
The leaders expressed satisfaction with the depth of defence ties and agreed to intensify cooperation with a focus on co-design, co-development and co-production of defence platforms and advanced technologies. Flagship projects include Rafale jets, Scorpene submarines, Shakti helicopter engines, and the H125 Helicopter Final Assembly Line in Vemagal, Karnataka, inaugurated in February 2026.
Space and Nuclear Energy
Building on six decades of ISRO-CNES cooperation, both sides discussed further collaboration in human spaceflight and space situational awareness, as well as expanding private sector participation. In civil nuclear energy, India's SHANTI Act was noted as creating new opportunities for cooperation on small and advanced modular reactors.
Innovation and Technology
The leaders adopted an 'Innovation Roadmap 2030' to provide long-term direction to the partnership. They agreed to create a Joint India-France AI Working Group. The joint inauguration of 'Bharat Innovates' in Nice and PM Modi's upcoming participation at Vivatech in Paris will strengthen ties in deep-tech, semiconductors, agri-tech, med-tech, renewable energy, defence and space.
People-to-People and Cultural Ties
PM Modi thanked President Macron for the swift operationalisation of visa-free transit for Indian nationals at French airports. UPI expansion in France was appreciated, and 19 agreements were signed among innovation ecosystem institutions. French universities were invited to open campuses in India. Cooperation among museums and cultural institutions, including the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, was also discussed.
Global Issues
The leaders exchanged views on the situations in West Asia and Ukraine. PM Modi looked forward to participating in the upcoming G7 summit in Evian and thanked Macron for engaging India in substantive discussions leading up to the summit.
FAQ
What were the key outcomes of the Modi-Macron meeting in Nice?
The leaders agreed to set up a high-level mechanism to double bilateral trade from $16 billion to $32 billion within five years, enhance defence co-design and co-production, expand space collaboration including human spaceflight, create a Joint India-France AI Working Group, and launch an Innovation Roadmap 2030.
How will defence cooperation between India and France deepen?
Both sides agreed to intensify defence collaboration with focus on co-design, co-development and co-production of platforms and advanced technologies. Existing projects include Rafale jets, Scorpene submarines, and Shakti helicopter engines.
What is the significance of the Innovation Roadmap 2030?
The roadmap gives a long-term direction to the bilateral partnership, covering deep-tech, semiconductors, agri-tech, med-tech, renewable energy, defence and space.
What people-to-people initiatives were announced?
Visa-free transit for Indian nationals at French airports was operationalised, UPI expansion in France was appreciated, and French universities were invited to open campuses in India under the New Education Policy.