PM Modi, President Macron Review India-France Strategic Ties in Defence, Nuclear Energy & Space

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed all aspects of the India-France strategic partnership and reviewed cooperation in the strategic areas of defence, civil nuclear energy, and space. During their bilateral talks yesterday, both leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to the India-France Strategic Partnership.

In a special gesture reflecting the personal rapport between the two leaders, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron flew together from Paris to Marseille in the French Presidential Aircraft yesterday. They held discussions on the full spectrum of bilateral relations and key global and regional issues. This was followed by delegation-level talks after arrival in Marseille.

Both leaders also discussed ways to strengthen collaboration in the fields of Technology and Innovation. This area of partnership assumes greater salience in the backdrop of the just-concluded AI Action Summit and the upcoming India-France Year of Innovation in 2026. The leaders also called for enhancing trade and investment ties and, in this regard, welcomed the report of the 14th India-France CEOs Forum.

⁠Prime Minister and President Macron expressed satisfaction at the ongoing collaboration in the fields of health, culture, tourism, education, and people-to-people ties. They committed to further deepening engagement in the Indo-Pacific and in global forums and initiatives.

Akashvani correspondent reports that a joint statement outlining the way forward for India-France ties was adopted after the talks. Ten outcomes in the areas of technology and innovation, civil nuclear energy, triangular cooperation, environment, culture, and people-to-people relations were also finalised.