India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership

• 18 Feb 2026

For Prelims: Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit 2026, Critical Technologies, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), SHANTI Act, 2025, Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3), BBNJ Treaty, Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum, Shakti (Army), Varuna (Navy), Garuda (Air Force), FDI, Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC), Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Critical Minerals, National Maritime Heritage Complex.

For Mains: Key outcomes of the President of France visit to India, key highlights of the India-France Strategic Partnership, key areas of concern in the India-France relations and way forward.

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

In February 2026, the President of France visited India and attended the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit 2026, where both countries elevated their ties to a historic “Special Global Strategic Partnership.” 

• Building on 25 years of strategic cooperation and the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, they agreed to expand collaboration in defence, civil nuclear energy, space, AI, and multilateral affairs. 

Summary 

• India and France elevated ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership (2026), expanding defence, nuclear, AI, space, and Indo-Pacific cooperation. 
• Bilateral trade reached Euros 12.67 billion, supported by the India-EU FTA and growing strategic investments. 
• Challenges persist in defence delays, AI regulation differences, trade barriers, and geopolitical divergences. 

What are the Key Outcomes of the President of France's visit to India? 

• Defence and Strategic Cooperation: Contract to procure 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets finalized. Inauguration of H125 Final Assembly Line (TATA-Airbus) – first private sector helicopter facility in India. Constitution of a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group for emerging critical technologies. 
• Nuclear Energy Cooperation: Strengthened cooperation on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) under 2025 Declaration of Intent. Cooperation across the value chain including Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant Project. 
  • France lauded India's target of 100 GW nuclear power by 2047 and reforms allowing private investment (SHANTI Act, 2025). 
• Space Cooperation: Third India-France Strategic Space Dialogue to be held in 2026. India to participate in the International Space Summit (July 2026, France). 
• Artificial Intelligence and Innovation: Launch of India-France Innovation Network; French National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology-Department of Science and Technology binational centre for digital sciences; and Joint Center for Advanced Materials. 
• Indo-Pacific Cooperation: Enhanced engagement under Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and Indian Ocean Rim Association (under India's Chairship). Cooperation in trilateral formats with Australia and UAE. 
• Climate Change and Environment: Both leaders welcomed the success of the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) held in Nice in June 2025 and appreciated the entry into force of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Treaty). 
• Health Cooperation: Research Centre for AI in healthcare involving Sorbonne University, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi, and Paris Brain Institute. 
  • Cooperation between PariSanté Campus and Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms; Health Data Hub and Indian Council of Medical Research. 
• Education and Culture: Target of 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030 (from current 10,000). Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum cooperation with France Muséums Développement. Namaste France 2028 to mark 30 years of strategic partnership. 
• Regional Issues:  
  • Ukraine: Support for cessation of hostilities and just peace based on UN Charter principles (sovereignty and territorial integrity). 
  • Gaza: Support for Peace Plan for Gaza (UNSC Resolution 2803) and two-state solution. 
  • Iran: Emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy. 
• Multilateral Issues: France reiterated firm support for India's permanent membership of UNSC; coordination on regulation of veto in mass atrocities. 
  • The French President invited the Prime Minister of India to attend the 2026 G7 summit in France and also extended an invitation to the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi (May 2026) to strengthen Africa partnerships. 

What are the Key Highlights of the India-France Strategic Partnership? 

• Strategic Partnership: The India–France Strategic Partnership, established in 1998, is founded on three key pillars, i.e., non-interference in internal affairs, commitment to strategic autonomy, and avoiding involvement in each other’s alliances and coalitions. 
• Defence Cooperation: Defence cooperation lies at the core of the India–France relationship, with France emerging as India’s 2nd-largest arms supplier after Russia. 
  • Key acquisitions include Rafale jets, 26 Rafale-Marine fighters, and Scorpene submarines, while joint exercises—Shakti (Army), Varuna (Navy), and Garuda (Air Force)—enhance tri-service cooperation with France. 
  • France's willingness to offer top defence systems and technology transfers distinguishes it from other Western partners. 
• Economic and Trade Relations: France is India’s 3rd-largest EU trading partner (after the Netherlands and Germany), with bilateral trade more than doubling to Euros 12.67 billion in 2024-25, a figure expected to grow following the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.  
  • As the 11th largest foreign investor, France has cumulatively invested Euros 9.79 billion from April 2000 to March 2025, accounting for 1.61% of total FDI inflows. 
• Civil Nuclear Cooperation: India and France signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2008. Both nations have agreed to partner on cost-effective SMRs, supported by India's Rs 20,000 crore Nuclear Energy Mission for faster deployment. 
• Space and Aerospace Cooperation: In 2021, ISRO and CNES signed a new space cooperation agreement at the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) in Bengaluru. India's space startups are benefiting from France's expertise in AI-based satellite applications.
  • Both have a joint satellite mission named TRISHNA Mission (Thermal Infrared Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural Resource Assessment). 
• Artificial Intelligence: Both nations have unveiled the India-France Roadmap on Artificial Intelligence (AI), focusing on safe, open, secure, and trustworthy AI. Indian startups are participating in the French startup incubator Station F. 
• Maritime Cooperation: Maritime collaboration is guided by the India-France Roadmap on Blue Economy and Ocean Governance (2022). France, with its territories in the Indo-Pacific, aligns with India's vision of a free, open, and rules-based maritime order. 

What are the Key Areas of Concern in the India-France Relations? 

• Defence Procurement and Technology Transfer Delays: Projects like Rafale jets, Scorpene submarines, and jet engine collaborations slowed due to contract negotiations, policy changes, and localisation demands. 
• Differing Defense and Security Priorities: India's regional focus and "non-aligned" policy sometimes clash with France's global interests (e.g., differing stances on Russia-Ukraine conflict). 
• Market Access Issues: France seeks greater access for its pharmaceutical, luxury goods, and defence industries, while India demands easier entry for IT, agriculture, and generic drugs. India faces difficulties exporting to France due to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, discouraging Indian products from entering the French market. 
• Disagreements on Global AI and Data Regulation: France supports the EU's strict General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) model, while India prefers a flexible, innovation-friendly approach under its Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. 
  • Disagreements over open-source AI, cybersecurity norms, and digital sovereignty could limit deeper AI cooperation. 
• Divergences on Strategic Autonomy: India's strong ties with Russia (for energy and defence) create tensions with France, which has strongly opposed Russia's Ukraine invasion. India refused to join NATO-led sanctions on Russia after the Ukraine war, while France has been a key military backer of Ukraine. 
• Immigration and Mobility Restrictions: Despite growing ties, visa restrictions, work permit limits, and recognition of Indian qualifications remain challenges for Indian students and professionals. 
  • India seeks easier residency and work opportunities for its skilled workforce, but France prioritises EU-wide immigration policies, limiting flexibility. 

What Measures are Required to Further Strengthen India-France Relations? 

• Deepen Defense and Security Collaboration: Accelerate joint production and research in defense technologies, including co-manufacture of precision-guided missiles, helicopters, and advanced jet engines, while emphasizing India's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative for self-reliance. 
• Advance Energy Cooperation: Broaden collaboration in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and clean technologies to support mutual climate goals, including joint investments in critical minerals and advanced materials. 
• Enhance Economic and Trade Ties: Leverage the recently signed India-EU Free Trade Agreement to reduce trade imbalances and tariffs, aiming for balanced growth in bilateral trade.  
  • Establish dedicated joint working groups to address market access barriers and promote sectors such as aeronautics, space, and high-speed rail. 
• Technological Partnerships: Launch the India–France Year of Innovation 2026 by setting up centres of excellence in artificial intelligence, digital sciences, and biotechnology, fostering collaboration among startups, research institutions, and industry. 
• Strengthen Cultural Exchanges: Expand educational, cultural, and mobility programs, including the establishment of cultural centers like the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Paris and cooperation on heritage projects such as the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal. 

Conclusion 

The partnership has decisively expanded across defence, nuclear energy, AI, space, and multilateral diplomacy under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap. Key outcomes include Rafale-Marine jets, SMRs, and Indo-Pacific collaboration. However, resolving procurement delays, trade imbalances, and geopolitical divergences through sustained dialogue remains essential for long-term strategic autonomy and global influence. 

Drishti Mains Questions

India–France relations have evolved beyond defence procurement into a comprehensive strategic partnership. Examine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. When was the India-France Strategic Partnership established? 
It was established in 1998 and is based on three pillars i.e., non-interference in internal affairs, commitment to strategic autonomy, and avoiding involvement in each other's alliances and coalitions. 

2. What was the key defence outcome of the French President's 2026 visit to India? 
The contract to procure 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets was finalized, and the H125 Final Assembly Line (TATA-Airbus), India's first private sector helicopter manufacturing facility, was inaugurated. 

3. What is the India–France AI Roadmap? 
It focuses on safe, secure, open, and trustworthy AI, including cooperation in digital sciences and startup ecosystems like Station F. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)  

Prelims 

Q. Consider the following statements: (2016)

1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.  
2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.  

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  

(a) 1 only  

(b) 2 only  

(c) Both 1 and 2  

(d) Neither 1 nor 2  

Ans: (a)

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Mains

Q. How will the I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India's position in global politics? (2022)