The North News
New Delhi, February 12
Marking a milestone in diplomatic relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated India’s Consulate in Marseille, strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties. Prime Minister Modi and French President Macron reviewed cooperation in defence, civil nuclear energy, and space during talks in France. They also explored ways to strengthen collaboration in technology and innovation. In a special gesture reflecting their close rapport, Modi and Macron travelled together from Paris to Marseille aboard the French Presidential aircraft. The two leaders discussed the full spectrum of bilateral ties and key global and regional issues en route. They held delegation-level talks in Marseille.
Marking 25 years of the India-France Strategic Partnership, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the evolving multifaceted relationship. Their discussions gained added significance in light of the recent AI Action Summit and the upcoming India-France Year of Innovation in 2026. They also called for stronger trade and investment ties, welcoming the findings of the 14th India-France CEOs Forum.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with ongoing cooperation in health, culture, tourism, education, and people-to-people exchanges. They committed to further deepening engagement in the Indo-Pacific and global initiatives.
A Joint Statement outlining the future of India-France relations was adopted, with ten key outcomes finalised across technology, innovation, civil nuclear energy, triangular cooperation, environment, culture, and public diplomacy. President Macron later hosted a dinner in Modi’s honour in the coastal town of Cassis near Marseille. Modi, in turn, invited Macron to visit India.
India and France signed multiple agreements across various sectors, reinforcing their strategic partnership and expanding cooperation in technology, nuclear energy, and sustainable development.
In a significant step towards advancing artificial intelligence collaboration, both nations issued a joint declaration on AI under the domain of technology and innovation. They also launched the official logo for the upcoming India-France Year of Innovation 2026, highlighting their commitment to scientific and technological progress.
A Letter of Intent was signed between India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) and France’s Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA) to establish the Indo-French Center for Digital Sciences. Additionally, an agreement was reached to host 10 Indian startups at the prestigious French incubator, Station F, further fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
In the field of civil nuclear energy, the two countries agreed to collaborate on Advanced Modular Reactors and Small Modular Reactors. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India’s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and France’s Commissariat à l’Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA) was renewed to strengthen cooperation with the Global Center for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP). Another agreement was signed to enhance collaboration between GCNEP and France’s Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology (INSTN).
A joint declaration of intent was signed to promote triangular development cooperation, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on sustainable development initiatives.
Marking a milestone in diplomatic relations, the two leaders jointly inaugurated India’s Consulate in Marseille, strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties.
Environmental cooperation was also a key focus, with both nations signing a declaration of intent between India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and France’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, Marine Affairs, and Fisheries. The agreement aims to promote joint efforts in environmental conservation and climate action.
These agreements reaffirm the deepening ties between India and France, paving the way for greater collaboration in innovation, energy, sustainability, and diplomacy.
