Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the India France Innovation Forum in Mumbai, reaffirming the depth and resilience of the bilateral partnership between the two countries. The event underscored the growing collaboration in science, technology and emerging sectors as both nations seek to expand cooperation in a rapidly changing global environment.
India and France share a relationship rooted in mutual trust, strategic autonomy and common democratic values. Over the years, this partnership has matured into one of the most comprehensive strategic relationships for both countries. Cooperation extends across defence, civil nuclear energy, space exploration, advanced manufacturing and digital technologies. The leaders emphasized that the strength of this relationship lies in long term consistency and shared strategic vision.
One of the pillars of India France cooperation has been space collaboration. With more than six decades of engagement, the two countries have worked together on satellite launches, joint research missions and space technology development. Their partnership includes cooperation in climate monitoring satellites and progress in human space flight programmes. This long standing engagement reflects deep mutual confidence and technological alignment.
In the defence and strategic sectors, the focus has increasingly shifted towards co development, co production and joint design of advanced systems. Both sides aim to strengthen resilient supply chains and promote industrial partnerships that create high value outcomes. The collaboration supports investment, technology transfer, skilled employment and frontier research in both nations.
The forum also highlighted growing engagement between startups, research institutions and industry leaders. Partnerships are expanding in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, digital innovation and deep technology. These collaborations are expected to drive industrial growth and strengthen innovation ecosystems in India and France.
A key announcement during the event was the India France Year of Innovation 2026. Throughout the year, cities across both countries will host events focused on science, technology and innovation. These programmes will bring together startups, academic institutions, researchers and creators to deepen collaboration and share expertise. The initiative aims to build sustainable networks between innovators and promote joint research and development projects.
The partnership is guided by the Horizon 2047 roadmap, which outlines a long term vision for cooperation. This roadmap seeks to enhance industrial collaboration, strengthen technological capabilities and deepen people to people connections. As India approaches the centenary of its independence in 2047, France remains a key strategic partner in advancing economic development and global engagement.
The inauguration of the Innovation Forum in Mumbai reflects the commitment of both governments to expand cooperation across critical sectors. As global geopolitical and economic dynamics evolve, India and France continue to position their partnership as a model of strategic stability, technological progress and shared prosperity.
