**Executive Summary**
On June 14, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held bilateral talks in Nice to advance the India-France "Special Global Strategic Partnership." The meeting focused on long-term cooperation in defense, space, nuclear energy, and technology, highlighted by the adoption of the "Innovation Roadmap 2030." Key action items include a commitment to double bilateral trade within five years and the immediate operationalization of visa-free transit for Indian nationals at French airports.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strategic and Defense Collaboration**
* **Defense Manufacturing:** Agreed to intensify bilateral defense ties by moving toward co-design, co-development, and co-production of advanced defense platforms.
* **Space Sector:** Expanded cooperation in human spaceflight, space situational awareness, and increased private sector collaboration.
* **Civil Nuclear Energy:** Identified new opportunities for collaboration on small and advanced modular reactors under India’s SHANTI Act.
**Economic Growth and Trade**
* **Trade Targets:** Established a High-level Mechanism to double bilateral trade within the next five years.
* **Trade Agreements:** Called for the early implementation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement to expand investment.
* **Supply Chain Resilience:** Agreed to a Dialogue on Economic Security to strengthen supply chains, with a specific focus on critical minerals.
**Innovation and Technology**
* **Innovation Roadmap 2030:** Adopted a long-term framework for technology partnership, including the creation of a Joint India-France AI Working Group.
* **Ecosystem Integration:** Signed 19 agreements between innovation institutions and inaugurated "Bharat Innovates" in Nice.
* **Sector Focus:** Targeted collaboration in semiconductors, deep-tech, agri-tech, med-tech, and renewable energy.
* **Digital Payments:** Noted the continued expansion of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in France.
**Education and People-to-People Ties**
* **Mobility:** Operationalized visa-free transit for Indian nationals at French airports and discussed expanding mutual recognition of educational qualifications.
* **Higher Education:** Invited French universities to open campuses in India under the New Education Policy.
* **Skill Development:** Established a Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics in Kanpur.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Nationals and Students**
**Impact**
Indian travelers benefit from simplified travel via visa-free transit at French airports. Students and professionals gain from enhanced talent mobility and the mutual recognition of academic qualifications.
**Action Required**
Students and academic professionals should monitor updates regarding French university campuses in India and new qualification recognition protocols.
**Defense and Technology Industries**
**Impact**
The shift toward co-production and the "Innovation Roadmap 2030" provides a platform for long-term industrial collaboration in high-tech sectors like AI, semiconductors, and aeronautics.
**Action Required**
Private sector entities and research institutions should engage with the 19 newly signed innovation agreements and the Joint AI Working Group.
**Bilateral Trade and SME Entities**
**Impact**
Businesses will see a focused effort to double trade volumes, supported by a new High-level Mechanism and potential progress on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
**Action Required**
SMEs in the aviation, railway, and critical minerals sectors should align their strategies with the new Dialogue on Economic Security and supply chain resilience initiatives.
**Educational and Cultural Institutions**
**Impact**
Increased cooperation between museums and cultural bodies, such as the National Maritime Heritage Complex, and the establishment of new vocational training centers.
**Action Required**
Cultural institutions and vocational training providers should coordinate on the implementation of the Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and joint museum projects.
Key Entities Referenced
Horizon 2047 Roadmap: The primary strategic framework guiding the long-term bilateral ties and cooperation between India and France across diverse sectors.
Innovation Roadmap 2030: A long-term strategic document adopted by both countries to direct collaboration in innovation, technology, and emerging sectors.
SHANTI Act: Indian legislation cited as a key enabler for collaboration in civil nuclear energy, specifically regarding small and advanced modular reactors.
India-EU Free Trade Agreement: A major economic agreement identified as a priority for implementation to expand bilateral trade and investment opportunities.
Bharat Innovates: A joint initiative inaugurated in Nice to strengthen the innovation ecosystems and startup partnerships between India and France.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister holds official talks with President
of France
प्रव तथ: 14 JUN 2026 8:37PM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with the President of France, H.E. Mr. Emmanuel
Macron, at Villa Kerylos in Nice on 14 June 2026. This was the first meeting of the two leaders since the
elevation of India-France ties to the level of ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’ earlier this year.
The two leaders held extensive discussions covering diverse aspects of bilateral relations. They expressed
satisfaction at the excellent growth and depth of bilateral defence collaboration across all domains and
agreed to further intensify it with focus on co-design, co-development and co-production of defence
platforms and advanced technologies. Both leaders noted the rich legacy of cooperation in the space sector
and discussed furthering collaboration in human spaceflight and space situational awareness. They also
discussed ways to expand private sector collaboration in space. In civil nuclear energy, they noted that
India’s SHANTI Act creates new opportunities for collaboration, including on small and advanced
modular reactors.
Reviewing the progress under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, both leaders also shared concrete ideas to
strengthen and diversify bilateral ties in the fields of economic growth, technology and innovation, talent
mobility and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. In this context, they noted the steady growth in
bilateral trade 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, which offers a unique opportunity to expand
bilateral trade and investment. The leaders also discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the SME,
aviation and railway sectors. They welcomed the agreement to establish a Centre of Excellence for
Skilling in Aeronautics in Kanpur. Welcoming the establishment of a Dialogue on Economic Security,
both leaders agreed to strengthen supply chain resilience, especially in critical minerals.
Recognizing the key role of innovation and technology in the bilateral relationship, both sides adopted an
“Innovation Roadmap 2030” to give the partnership a long-term direction. Both leaders discussed
expanding cooperation on Artificial Intelligence and agreed to create a Joint India-France AI Working
Group for the purpose. The joint inauguration of Bharat Innovates at Nice by the leaders, and Prime
Minister’s upcoming participation at Vivatech in Paris have further strengthened the partnership between
the two countries in sectors such as deep-tech, semiconductors, agri-tech, med-tech, renewable energy,
defence and space. Both leaders appreciated the continued expansion of UPI in France, as well as the
signing of 19 agreements among institutions in the innovation ecosystems of both countries.
The two leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing people-to-people ties. In this context, Prime
Minister thanked President Macron for the swift operationalisation of visa-free transit for Indian nationals
at French airports. They further discussed ways to enhance the mobility of talent and students between the
two countries and expanding mutual recognition of educational qualifications. Prime Minister invitedFrench universities to open campuses in India under the New Education Policy. The leaders also agreed to
enhance cooperation among museums and cultural institutions, including the National Maritime Heritage
Complex in Lothal.
The leaders exchanged perspectives on matters of global importance, including the situation in West Asia
and Ukraine. Prime Minter looked forward to participating in the upcoming G7 summit in Evian and
thanked President Macron for engaging India in substantive discussions leading up to the summit.
Both leaders reiterated the importance of the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership in creating
further opportunities for the peoples of the two countries and advancing international peace, stability and
prosperity.
Prime Minister and President Macron also viewed the works of French artists Mr. Thibault De La Lance
and Mr. Théophile de Bascher created during their 10-day art residency in Jaipur, India. The artists drew
inspiration from Indian heritage and aesthetics resulting in works reflecting the cultural confluence of
India and France.
Following the talks, President Macron hosted a lunch in honour of Prime Minister Modi.
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MJPS/SS/ST
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