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India-France Launch "Partnership of the People" Year of Innovation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron have launched the India-France Year of Innovation, rebranding the strategic relationship as a "Partnership of the People." The collaboration will focus on connecting industries and innovators in defence, clean energy, space, and emerging technologies. The bilateral relationship was formally elevated to a Special Strategic Partnership, granting it new diplomatic importance. The leaders met in Mumbai to review strategic objectives and discuss global challenges ahead of the India AI Impact Summit.

Key Points: India-France Year of Innovation Transforms Strategic Ties

  • Year of Innovation launched
  • Special Strategic Partnership status
  • Focus on defence & clean energy
  • Strong industry & startup networks
2 min read

"Partnership of the People": PM Modi says India-France Year of Innovation to transform bilateral ties

PM Modi and President Macron elevate bilateral relations to a Special Strategic Partnership, focusing on innovation, defence, and clean energy.

"We are transforming our strategic partnership into a Partnership of the People. - PM Narendra Modi"

Mumbai, February 17

Following extensive deliberations in India's financial capital on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the intensifying bond between New Delhi and Paris as a "partnership of the people."

The Prime Minister highlighted that the inauguration of the India-France Year of Innovation marks a significant shift in their bilateral journey.

"With the launch of the India-France Year of Innovation, we are transforming our strategic partnership into a Partnership of the People," PM Modi asserted.

Emphasising the broad scope of this collaboration, the Prime Minister noted that whether it involves "defence, clean energy, space, or emerging technologies, we will connect our industries and innovators in every field."

He further detailed the economic and academic roadmap of the initiative, stating, "We will build strong networks between startups and MSMEs. We will facilitate exchanges between our students and researchers, and we will also establish new centres for joint innovation."

French President Emmanuel Macron, who is on his fourth official visit to India, reciprocated this sentiment, noting a strong alignment in how both nations approach global commerce.

He also congratulated PM Modi on the successful conclusion of the 'Mother of all deals' -- the landmark Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union.

Macron announced that the bilateral relationship, founded on "trust, openness, and ambition," has reached a new pinnacle.

He revealed that the partnership was formally elevated today to a Special Strategic Partnership, a status that grants the alliance a new level of diplomatic importance.

"We firmly believe in the rule of law, and we've demonstrated this over the past few years. Whether it's IMEC, which we jointly launched, or whether we're talking about artificial intelligence or the International Solar Alliance, we've taken several initiatives together over the past eight years," Macron stated.

The meeting in Mumbai allowed the two world leaders to exchange perspectives on pressing regional and global challenges while reviewing the progress of their strategic objectives.

President Macron arrived in Mumbai with his wife, Brigitte Macron, around midnight on Monday.

The visit serves as a key engagement before the delegation heads to the capital for the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone working in the clean tech sector, the mention of collaboration in clean energy is very promising. Hope this leads to tangible tech transfer and joint projects that can help India meet its renewable goals faster.
V
Vikram M
Strong ties with France are crucial, especially in defence and space. They have been a reliable partner. The "Special Strategic Partnership" status is a big diplomatic win. Let's hope the MSMEs and startups on the ground actually benefit from these networks.
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Rohit P
All these summits and "Years of Innovation" sound great on paper. My respectful criticism: we need to see results. How many joint patents will come out? How many Indian students will get meaningful research opportunities in France? The proof will be in the pudding.
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Priya S
Connecting our students and researchers is the best part! If this leads to more scholarships and easier visa processes for Indian students in France, it will be a game-changer for many families. Education is the real partnership of the people.
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Michael C
The EU-India FTA is the real headline here. That's the "mother of all deals" that will impact trade flows for decades. This innovation year seems like a positive cultural and technological add-on to that massive economic agreement.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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