Modi, Macron Launch India-France Innovation Year

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet French President Emmanuel Macron to launch the ‘India-France Year of Innovation’ and advance strategic cooperation between the two nations. Macron’s three-day visit to India from February 17 to 19 underscores the deepening partnership, with discussions centred on artificial intelligence, defence collaboration, technology partnerships, and the Indo-Pacific.

The visit follows sustained high-level engagement between the two leaders and reflects growing alignment amid global geopolitical shifts.

Focus on AI and Technology Partnership

A key highlight of the visit will be joint engagement at the AI Impact Summit in Mumbai. The two leaders had earlier co-chaired the AI Action Summit in France, attended by representatives from over 100 countries. That meeting promoted a human-centric, ethical, safe, and inclusive framework for artificial intelligence.

The launch of the ‘India-France Year of Innovation’ aims to institutionalise collaboration between start-ups, researchers, and technology leaders. Both countries are expected to strengthen cooperation in emerging technologies, digital infrastructure, and AI capacity-building, particularly for developing nations.

Strengthening Defence Ties

Defence cooperation remains a cornerstone of the India-France strategic partnership. The visit comes shortly after India’s Defence Acquisitions Council approved a government-to-government proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter aircraft from France. Of these, 18 are expected in flyaway condition, while the remainder will be manufactured in India.

India already operates 36 Rafale jets in its Air Force, and 26 naval variants have been ordered for the Navy. The expanded fleet will significantly enhance India’s air combat capability and deepen defence industrial collaboration.

Indo-Pacific and Global Strategic Alignment

Both nations share a commitment to multilateralism, strategic autonomy, and reform of the United Nations. Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific remains central, with France being a resident power in the region through its overseas territories.

The leaders are expected to review progress under the India-France Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global developments. France has also played a supportive role within the European Union in advancing stronger economic and security ties with India.

Important Facts for Exams

• India-France Strategic Partnership was launched in 1998.
• France is a resident Indo-Pacific power with territories such as Réunion Island.
• Rafale fighter jets are manufactured by Dassault Aviation.
• The AI Action Summit promoted ethical, human-centric AI governance.

Expanding Economic and Innovation Cooperation

Beyond defence and diplomacy, the visit will highlight expanding economic engagement. The two leaders will interact with business representatives, innovators, and start-ups to promote investment flows and joint research. The ‘India-France Year of Innovation’ signals intent to diversify cooperation into frontier sectors, reinforcing a partnership that has steadily evolved into one of India’s most reliable global alliances.