The India–France Year of Innovation 2026 was formally released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron during Macron’s visit to India, which began from February 17 to February 19. The high-profile involvement not only highlighted technology and creative companionship but also marked a historic growth of bilateral ties to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership.” The program focused on deepening cooperation worldwide in artificial intelligence (AI), defence manufacturing, digital public infrastructure, Indo-Pacific security, clean energy, critical minerals, and modern research. The announcement showcased how New Delhi and Paris have begun to align their positions due to changing global geopolitical conditions and new supply chain patterns.
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India–France Year of Innovation 2026: A Planned Push for New Technologies-
The Year of Innovation is built to institutionalise collaboration between:
- Start-ups and incubators
- Research departments and universities
- Technology companies and industry leaders
- Government revolution agencies
The initiative will host high-impact programs across:
- Artificial Intelligence and digital governance
- Healthcare innovation
- Cybersecurity and defence machineries
- Sustainable growth solutions
- Cultural and creative areas
The two leaders made their point by emphasising that they wanted to work together on developing new technologies rather than transferring existing technologies, which showed that their strategic partnership had developed into a relationship based on trust.
AI Cooperation: From Paris to Mumbai-
The main achievement of the visit took place when they joined together to attend the AI Impact Summit 2026, which continued the work started at the AI Action Summit in Paris in 2025.
The two leaders reiterated their shared dedication to:
- Ethical and human-centric AI governance
- Covering the global AI divide
- Democratising availability to AI resources
- Supporting digital infrastructure in growing nations
France and India established a partnership to advance their joint research work in applied mathematics and artificial intelligence while they worked together to build protected digital environments.
Defence Partnership: Rafale Expansion and Collaboration-
Defence cooperation remains a central pillar of India–France relations. The Defence Acquisition Council of India has authorised the acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter jets, which Dassault Aviation produces.
Important Information:
- 18 jets to arrive in flyaway condition
- Ot aircraft to be manufactured in India
- India already operates 36 Rafale jets
- 26 Rafale Marine variants previously ordered
The leaders also welcomed work under the Defence Industrial Roadmap 2024, focusing on:
- Jet engine co-development
- Helicopter manufacturing partnerships
- Missile production collaboration
- Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in India
This initiative has strengthened the defence manufacturing Make in India ecosystem and, at the same time, underscored the leadership role that France plays as a major partner in defence.
Critical Minerals and Green Supply Chains-
India and France also inked a Declaration of Intent regarding robust cooperation on precious minerals. Some of the basic objectives:
- Electric vehicles
- Renewable energy systems
- Semiconductor manufacturing
- Advanced defence platforms
The two nations develop their supply chains for rare earth elements through mining, processing and recycling methods. The collaboration also includes a partnership between India’s Department of Science and Technology and France’s CNRS to establish a joint centre on advanced materials.
Indo-Pacific Cooperation and Global Arrangement-
France maintains its status as an Indo-Pacific power through its overseas territories, which include Réunion Island. The two countries confirmed their ongoing commitment to:
- A free and rules-based Indo-Pacific
- Maritime security cooperation
- Supply chain resilience
- Strategic autonomy
They also agreed to strengthen coordination under multilateral platforms, consisting of:
- Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)
- International Solar Alliance (ISA)
- Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
France reiterated its strong support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council.
Elevation to Special Global Strategic Ties-
The visit established a Special Global Strategic Partnership between the two countries through their new military relationship, which enables them to work together on security matters, climate change, economic development and technological progress.
The leaders also established:
- An annual Foreign Ministers’ Comprehensive Dialogue
- A Joint Advanced Technology Development Group
- Expanded startup incubation collaborations
The partnership supports the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, which directs all cooperative activities until India reaches its 100th independence anniversary in 2047.
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Climate, Nuclear and Space Cooperation-
India joined France’s call for the Global Conference on Terror during the statement of intent from both countries.
Important developments include:
- Civil nuclear cooperation discussions, including Small Modular Reactors
- Strengthened collaboration between space agencies CNES and ISRO
- Expanded cooperation in oceanographic research
- Renewable energy partnerships
France lauded India’s target of achieving 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047.
People-to-People and Education Links-
Beyond geopolitics and defence, both leaders gave importance to educational and cultural exchanges.
Highlights involve:
- Target of 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030
- Expansion of academic partnerships
- Cultural exhibitions in Paris and India
- Launch of the India–France Innovation Network
Talks on credential verification technologies, employee skills training in economic development and social programs, as well as policies to enhance mobility, were made available to enhance youth and professional exchanges.
Broader Global Discussions-
The two leaders addressed global conflicts and diplomatic priorities, expressing:
- Concern over the Russia–Ukraine war
- Support for a comprehensive and lasting peace
- Backing for a two-state solution in Gaza
- Commitment to UN reform
Macron invited India to participate in the G7 Summit hosted by France in 2026, further reinforcing India’s growing global stature.
Conclusion-
The establishment of the India–France Year of Innovation 2026 marks a defining moment in bilateral relations between New Delhi and Paris. The collaboration between the two countries has emerged into a full framework which supports their planned independence and global stability through its growth from artificial intelligence to defence manufacturing, critical minerals, and Indo-Pacific strategy. The new India–France Special Global Strategic Partnership enables both democracies to work together as partners who will elevate innovations and build resilience, and maintain international governance through rules-based systems.
FAQs-
A. The India-France Strategic Partnership came into being in 1998.
A. It is a collaborative initiative to promote cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, defence technology, research, and sustainable growth through collective programs and institutional cooperation.
A. The acquisition of 114 more Rafale aircraft raises India’s air defence strength, focuses local production, and increases cooperation in the defence industry with the French.
A. Critical minerals are essential l for clean energy, electric vehicles, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing. The partnership seeks to establish secure and diversified supply chains.
A. It displays a high level of cooperation in defence, machinery, climate, economic security, and multilateral partnerships to collectively respond to worldwide challenges.