Mumbai, 17 February (H.S.): India and France resolved on Tuesday to elevate their bilateral relations to a 'Special Global Strategic Partnership,' transcending mere strategic cooperation to encompass global stability and progress. Both nations committed to concrete measures promoting close defence collaboration, skill and innovation development, high-technology transfers, joint production, free trade, and visa-free transit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi articulated this commitment during a bilateral summit with French President Emmanuel Macron. The leaders exchanged 20 documents covering the India-France Innovation Network; Hammer missile production by Bharat Electronics Limited and Safran; a joint advanced technology development group; critical minerals and metals extraction/refining; double taxation avoidance; India-France Digital Science and Technology Centre; an AI centre at AIIMS New Delhi for health cooperation; aeronautical skills training centre; and Department of Posts and Telecommunications collaboration. They virtually inaugurated the H125 helicopter assembly plant in Vemgal, Karnataka.

Welcoming his dear friend Macron to Mumbai, India's gateway city, PM Modi recalled his previous visit to France, where he paid tribute to Indian soldiers and freedom fighter Veer Savarkar in Marseille.PM Modi emphasized the uniquely special, trust-based India-France relationship, with France as one of India's oldest strategic partners.

Under Macron's leadership, this partnership has acquired unprecedented depth and energy, now formalized as a 'Global Strategic Partnership' advancing world peace, stability, and a balanced multipolar order.

The Prime Minister noted decades-old trust reaching new heights, positioning the partnership to lead solutions in defence, space, maritime security, clean energy, critical minerals, digital technology, and AI. He hailed the Tata-Airbus H125 facility as symbolizing deep trust and shared industrial vision—a helicopter capable of Everest heights, destined for global export.

Highlighting trade and investment, PMModi cited the recent India-EU Free Trade Agreement as ushering a new economic chapter, boosting India-France flows alongside double taxation relief and investment protections.

Launching the 'India-France Year of Innovation,' PM Modi envisioned transforming strategic ties into people-centric bonds via startup, MSME, student, and researcher exchanges, plus joint R&D centres. Health AI at AIIMS, digital tech hubs, and aeronautics training institutes will equip youth for global opportunities.

Addressing global turbulence, Modi reaffirmed commitments to democratic values, rule of law, and multipolarity, advocating UN reforms, peace in Ukraine/West Asia/Indo-Pacific, and terrorism eradication.On culture,PM Modi invoked shared ancient civilizations, advancing collaborations at Yuge Yugen Bharat Museum and Lothal's National Maritime Heritage Complex, alongside a Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in France.

He envisioned this partnership driving global stability, sustainable development, and human welfare.Praising Macron's dedication,PM Modi foresaw new chapters yielding prosperity.Macron positioned innovation central to relations and economies, discussing research, technology, and student exchanges. He welcomed transit visa discussions for France visits and endorsed the EU-India FTA, aligning on Indo-Pacific openness and multilateralism.

Macron envisioned respectful AI honouring multilateralism, diversity, languages, and transparent algorithms per UN Charter, while combating all terrorism. Noting India's BRICS and France's G7 presidencies, he invited Modi to the G7 Summit. Defence areas like Rafale, submarines, and 5th-gen engines underscore tech transfer and autonomy; space invites await July's summit.

Aeronautics and high-speed rail exemplify reliable partnership, with 2026's Innovation Year catalysing investor/startup/R&D synergy for dominance-free global solutions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar