Mumbai: French President Emmanuel Macron declared that France and India are committed to not succumbing to any form of hegemony, reinforcing their adherence to the rule of law and international norms. Macron's statements came during a joint news conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of his three-day visit to India.
According to Anadolu Agency, the two leaders reiterated their shared belief in a "third way" that promotes a free and open Indo-Pacific region, alongside cooperation in defense technology and trade. Macron emphasized the accelerated phase of Franco-Indian relations in response to the changing international order. The French President stressed the significance of strategic autonomy and a partnership that avoids being entangled in the conflicts of a few, highlighting a mutual rejection of coercive methods in international trade.
Following the official discussions, Modi announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a 'special global strategic partnership,' marking a stride towards enhanced strategic, economic, and technological collaboration. Modi described this partnership as a symbol of global stability and progress, underscoring plans for joint manufacturing projects, including the production of helicopters capable of flying to Mount Everest's heights.
The leaders agreed to work through global institutions to tackle international challenges, with a focus on promoting peace in regions like Ukraine, West Asia, and the Indo-Pacific. Modi stated that the India-France partnership serves as a stabilizing force amidst global uncertainty, prioritizing multilateralism, dialogue, and diplomacy.
Macron's visit also includes participation in the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal mentioned that the leaders engaged in productive discussions across various domains, achieving 21 key outcomes, notably in defense. The virtual inauguration of the H125 helicopter assembly plant was a highlight of the visit.
India and France, whose diplomatic ties date back to India's independence in 1947, have seen their bilateral trade volume reach $15 billion in 2024. The defense sector has notably strengthened their ties, with India recently approving the acquisition of Rafale jets from France.
The visit culminated in the sixth India-France annual defense dialogue in Bengaluru, co-chaired by Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and French counterpart Catherine Vautrin. Key announcements included the reciprocal deployment of officers and the renewal of a 10-year defense cooperation agreement. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding was signed for the joint manufacturing of Hammer missiles in India, reflecting the deepening defense collaboration between the two nations.