India and France Forge Special Global Strategic Partnership

On Tuesday, India and France officially elevated their relationship to a 'special global strategic partnership', with a focus on expanding cooperation in key areas such as defense, trade, and critical minerals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized their bilateral ties as a stabilizing force in a geopolitically turbulent world.

The leaders met in Mumbai and virtually inaugurated an Airbus H125 helicopter assembly line in Karnataka, a project poised to enhance India's aerospace capabilities. A total of 21 agreements were signed, covering areas from defense and renewable energy to critical minerals and health. Notable pacts include defense cooperation and a joint venture between Bharat Electronics Ltd and France's Safran to manufacture Hammer missiles in India.

Modi highlighted the unique nature of the India-France partnership, which is now being cemented with unprecedented depth and energy. Highlighting shared commitments to democratic values and a multipolar world, both countries aim to support global peace efforts across regions like Ukraine and West Asia. The signing of the India-EU free trade deal is expected to further propel India-France relations.