India and France Deepen Strategic Defence Partnership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron have committed to intensifying strategic defence cooperation, with a special focus on the “Make in India” initiative. This agreement, reached during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, underscores the crucial bilateral strategic partnership between India and France for a stable global order.
France, India’s closest strategic partner in Europe, has collaborated closely with India in security and defence. Currently, India is negotiating with France to acquire 26 Rafale jets for the Indian Navy, following a previous deal for 36 jets for the Indian Air Force in 2016.
Modi and Macron reviewed key global and regional issues, emphasizing the importance of their trusted partnership. They discussed the “Horizon 2047” and Indo-Pacific roadmaps, covering cooperation in defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital infrastructure, connectivity, and cultural initiatives.
The leaders agreed to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, critical and emerging technologies, energy, and sports. They also planned to collaborate closely on the upcoming AI Summit and the United Nations Oceans Conference in France in 2025.
During Modi’s visit to France in July, agreements were signed to enhance defence cooperation, including pacts for three submarines for the Indian Navy and the development of jet and helicopter engines. State-run Mazagon Dockyard Ltd and France’s Naval Group signed an MoU to build additional Scorpene submarines, while Safran and India’s DRDO are jointly developing a combat aircraft engine.
The robust defence cooperation between India and France aims to co-produce military platforms to meet their needs and those of friendly third countries, solidifying their strategic partnership.
