PM Modi-President Macron discussed ways to expand private sector collaboration in space
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, held extensive discussions covering diverse aspects of bilateral relations, and agreed to further intensify it with focus on co-design, co-development and co-production of defence platforms and advanced technologies.
“The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the excellent growth and depth of bilateral defence collaboration across all domains,” said the Prime Minister’s Office.
Both leaders noted the rich legacy of cooperation in the space sector and discussed furthering collaboration in human spaceflight and space situational awareness.
“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 Prime Minister’s Office said after the meeting was held at Villa Kerylos in Nice on 14 June 2026.
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 invited French 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.
List of outcomes following the visit of Prime Minister Modi:
Adoption of India-France Innovation Roadmap 2030
Creation of a Joint India-France AI Working Group focused on AI governance
Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Allied Sectors at NSTI, Kanpur
Expanded possibilities for using India’s real-time payment system – Unified Payments Interface (UPI) – in France
Incubation of an additional 10 Indian startups at Station F.
Establishment of a Centre of Digital Sciences between Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Institut National de Recherche en Sciences et Technologies du Numérique (INRIA)
Establishment of an ICCR India Chair on “AI, Innovation and Culture” at Universite Paris-Saclay
Letter of Intent between Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Health Data Hub of France
Setting up of a High-level Mechanism for realizing the goal of doubling bilateral trade in the next five years, building on the existing Economic and Financial Dialogue
Institution of an Economic Security Dialogue – Declaration of Intent on Cooperation on Railway and High-speed Railway Development in India
General Security Agreement on the Exchange and Protection of Classified Information
Strategic and Space – Letter of Intent between ISRO and CNES concerning cooperation in the field of microgravity research and human space exploration. Fiinews.com
