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Modi and Macron improve India-France bilateral relations, signing defence pact and opening an H125 helicopter assembly, advancing trade, technology, and security.
A new defence cooperation pact was signed between the governments of India and France on Tuesday as part of increasing the strategic partnership between India and France. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron met each other again in Mumbai, signing a new 10-year defence cooperation agreement, which will allow both countries to recommit to working together on security issues in both the regional and global terms, given the regional and global challenges that are faced.
They also inaugurated the final assembly line for the H125 helicopter, which is being built at Vemagal within the State of Karnataka. This facility will aid in the production of helicopters capable of operating at extreme altitudes such as flights over Mt. Everest during an expedition and at the facility there are plans to produce helicopters for export internationally.
In addition to the renewed defence agreement, Modi mentioned the continuing buildup of the largest and most ambitious Free Trade Agreement between the EU and India, support for the reform agenda of a multipolar world order, and the two countries' continued joint commitment to combat terrorism. Macron also stated his support for India's security and condemned the terror attack which took place in Pahalgam in 2025, while expressing France's continued support of India's right to self defence.
The India-France Year of Innovation 2026 initiative was launched by leaders to develop collaboration in AI, clean energy, space and emerging technologies as part of their expanded scope of work together. As an extension of the current foreign minister’s dialogue, annual meetings between India and France will take place to review the progress of their elevated Special Global Strategic Partnership roadmap and to implement the newly established Horizon 2047 Roadmap. By providing evidence of the expanding scope of their bilateral relations, defence, economy and technology, this meeting affirms that the partnership will continue to act as a significant contributor to regional stability and shared prosperity.
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