AI In Healthcare To HAMMER Missiles: A Look At India-France Strategic Deals

A New Strategic Framework: Prime Minister Modi and President Emmanuel Macron agreed to establish an annual Foreign Ministers Comprehensive Dialogue to review progress under the upgraded framework and coordinate on economic security, global issues and people-to-people ties. (Image: X)

Defence Ties: Both the countries renewed their 10-year defence cooperation agreement and signed multiple MoUs during the 6th India-France Defence Dialogue. The key outcomes are:
- A joint venture between Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran to produce HAMMER missiles in India.
- Reciprocal Deployment Of Officers Between The Indian Army and French Land Forces In 2026.
- Constitution Of A Joint Advanced Technology Development Group To Co-Develop Emerging And Critical Technologies.
- Renewal Of The Defence Cooperation Agreement And Strengthening Joint Research, Co-Design, Co-Development and Co-Production under the Defence industrial Roadmap.
- Inauguration Of The H125 Helicopter Final Assembly Line At Vemagal, Karnataka. (Image: X)

Cooperation Of Critical Minerals: The countries announced a Joint Declaration of Intent on cooperation in critical minerals and rare earths. It aims to build collaboration in exploration, extraction, processing and recycling technologies to build diversified and resilient supply chains. (Image: X)

AI And Technology:
- The 2026 India-France Year Of Innovation will feature collaborations in science and technology, cyberspace, artificial intelligence, healthcare, sustainable development and research.
- Launch of the India-France Innovation Network to connect startups, incubators, businesses and academic institutions from both countries.
- A Letter of Intent was signed between T-Hub and Nord France Invest to promote startup ecosystem cooperation.
- Launch of the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health at AIIMS, New Delhi in collaboration with Sorbonne University and the Paris Brain Institute. (Image: X)

Economic And Tax Reforms
- Both the countries agreed to amend the protocol on the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), aimed at providing greater certainty for investors and encouraging bilateral trade.
- France, the first European country to adopt India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), agreed to expand acceptance of digital payment systems to ease transactions for Indian tourists. (Image: X)

Climate, Nuclear And Energy Cooperation: The leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to the Paris Agreement and sustainable development goals. They agreed to expand cooperation in renewable and civil nuclear energy. They also welcomed ongoing joint initiatives under the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, both based in New Delhi. (Image: X)

Indo-Pacific And Global Issues: India and France reaffirmed support for a free, rules-based Indo-Pacific, boosting cooperation through IMEC and trilateral ties with Australia and the UAE. On global conflicts, the leaders expressed concern over the war in Ukraine and called for a just and lasting peace through dialogue and diplomacy. They also reiterated support for a two-state solution in West Asia and condemned terrorism in all forms, with France expressing solidarity following recent terror attacks in India. (Image: X)

Strengthening People-To-People Ties: The two leaders highlighted the growing importance of cultural, educational and mobility ties. France aims to host 30,000 Indian students by 2030, up from 10,000 at present. They welcomed new academic partnerships, skill development programmes and plans for a National Centre of Excellence in Aeronautics in Kanpur. Cultural cooperation will expand through upcoming exhibitions, museum collaborations and celebrations marking 30 years of the strategic partnership in 2028. (Image: X)