PM Modi and President Macron hold talks in Nice, deepening the India-France 'Special Global Strategic Partnership'

Their first meeting since the partnership was elevated this year covered defence co-development, civil nuclear cooperation under the new SHANTI Act, space, an early India-EU FTA and critical-mineral supply chains — anchored by a new 'Innovation Roadmap 2030'.

What happened

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with French President H.E. Mr Emmanuel Macron at Villa Kerylos in Nice on 14 June 2026 — their first meeting since the elevation of India-France ties to a 'Special Global Strategic Partnership' earlier this year.
• On defence, the leaders expressed satisfaction at the depth of collaboration across all domains and agreed to intensify it with a focus on co-design, co-development and co-production of defence platforms and advanced technologies.
• They noted the rich legacy of space cooperation and agreed to advance human spaceflight and space situational awareness, including expanding private-sector collaboration; in civil nuclear energy, they noted that India's SHANTI Act creates new opportunities, including small and advanced modular reactors.
• Reviewing the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, they agreed a High-level Mechanism to double bilateral trade within five years, called for early implementation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, and welcomed a Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics in Kanpur.
• They adopted an 'Innovation Roadmap 2030' and a Dialogue on Economic Security to strengthen supply-chain resilience, especially in critical minerals — and jointly inaugurated the maiden edition of Bharat Innovates 2026 at the Palais des Expositions de Nice.

For Prelims

• India-France partnership tiers: France was India's first 'Strategic Partner' (1998); ties have now been raised to a 'Special Global Strategic Partnership' (2026). The two sides earlier adopted the Horizon 2047 Roadmap (2024) as a long-term blueprint marking 100 years of diplomatic ties (2047).
• Defence cooperation: France is a top defence partner — Rafale fighters (incl. Rafale-Marine), Scorpene-class submarines (Project-75), and engines (Safran). The shift to co-design/co-development/co-production reflects 'Make in India' in defence.
• Civil nuclear: India-France civil nuclear cooperation centres on the Jaitapur (Maharashtra) EPR project with EDF. The SHANTI Act is India's recent reform of civil-nuclear-liability law to ease private and foreign participation, including in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
• Space: ISRO and France's CNES have long cooperated (e.g. the TRISHNA thermal-imaging satellite, Megha-Tropiques, SARAL). 'Space situational awareness' tracks objects/debris in orbit.
• India-EU FTA: The long-negotiated India-EU Free Trade Agreement (with a parallel investment pact and GI agreement); France, as an EU member, can push for its early conclusion. The EU is one of India's largest trade partners.
• Critical minerals: Minerals like lithium, cobalt and rare earths vital for clean energy and electronics; India runs a Critical Mineral Mission and the KABIL PSU, and joined the US-led Minerals Security Partnership — supply-chain resilience is a strategic priority.
• Don't confuse: A 'Special Global Strategic Partnership' is a diplomatic tier (above a 'Strategic Partnership'), not a treaty/alliance; the SHANTI Act is domestic Indian civil-nuclear law, distinct from the bilateral Jaitapur project.

For Mains

Syllabus: GS2.18 · Linkage L2