In the face of increasing geopolitical upheavals, India and France on Tuesday elevated their ties to a ‘special global strategic partnership’ with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron vowing to significantly ramp up bilateral cooperation. The main areas of focus included defence, trade and technology.
The two leaders also virtually inaugurated an assembly line in Karnataka's Vemagal to build Airbus H125 helicopters. Modi hosted Macron for wide-ranging talks in Mumbai, hours after the French leader landed in the city on a three-day India visit.
"India and France share a very special relationship. France is one of India's oldest strategic partners. And together with President Macron, we have given this strategic partnership unprecedented depth and energy," the Prime Minister said.
"On the basis of this same trust and shared vision, today we are establishing our relationship as a 'Special Global Strategic Partnership," he said. PM Modi also made a reference to the H-125 helicopter assembly line. "We take pride in the fact that, together, India and France will manufacture in India the world's only helicopter capable of flying to the heights of Mount Everest and export it to the entire world," he said.
"The year 2026 is a turning point in the relations between India and Europe. Just a few days ago, we signed the largest and most ambitious Free Trade Agreement in India's history with the European Union," he said.
The Prime Minister described India-France relationship as a force for global stability. "The world is passing through a phase of uncertainty today. In such an environment, the India-France partnership is a force for global stability," he said.
In his remarks, Macron said India was one of France's most trusted partners. "From Rafale jets to submarines, we are expanding defence cooperation," he said. "Both our countries firmly believe in rule of law, and it has been demonstrated in past few years," he noted. Macron also said India and France will continue to cooperate to combat terrorism.
Macron connects with Bollywood celebs
French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron sat down with some of India’s top filmmakers and actors in Mumbai, turning a formal engagement into an animated exchange about cinema, culture and collaboration.
The two-hour meeting over lunch, which began at 12:30 pm at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, brought together names such as Zoya Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Manoj Bajpayee, Anil Kapoor, Kabir Khan, Neeraj Ghaywan, Richa Chadha and Grammy Award-winning composer Ricky Kej. The spirited discussion centred around how France and India can deepen collaboration through the film industries and expand the scope of storytelling.
The lunch featured a sophisticated Indo-French fusion menu, blending classic techniques with vibrant local flavours. Guests sampled an Indian take on ratatouille, ‘paneer bhurji’ dumplings, strawberry desserts and kulfi—a symbolic reminder of how traditions can merge without losing their identity. For Anil Kapoor, the afternoon carried a personal highlight.
According to Kej, Brigitte Macron had spoken during her flight about how much she loved the 2008 Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire. So, when Kapoor walked into the room, Kej quickly introduced them.
"Madam Brigitte Macron was happy to meet Anil Kapoor. It was a huge coincidence, as yesterday on the plane, she was talking about how she loved the film, ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. Today, when Anil Kapoor walked in, I immediately took him to meet her, and she was like: 'He was there in the film’,” Kej said. Kapoor said a meaningful and forward-looking conversation followed about how India and France can strengthen their creative collaboration.
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