New Delhi, June 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with the President of France, H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, at Villa Kerylos in Nice on Sunday. This was the first meeting of the two leaders since the elevation of India-France ties to the level of ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’ earlier this year.
The two leaders held extensive discussions covering diverse aspects of bilateral relations. They expressed satisfaction at the excellent growth and depth of bilateral defence collaboration across all domains and agreed to further intensify it with focus on co-design, co-development and co-production of defence platforms and advanced technologies.
Both leaders noted the rich legacy of cooperation in the space sector and discussed furthering collaboration in human spaceflight and space situational awareness. They also discussed ways to expand private sector collaboration in space. In civil nuclear energy, they noted that India’s SHANTI Act creates new opportunities for collaboration, including on small and advanced modular reactors.
Reviewing the progress under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, both leaders also shared concrete ideas to strengthen and diversify bilateral ties in the fields of economic growth, technology and innovation, talent mobility and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. In this context, they noted the steady growth in bilateral trade and agreed to set up a High-level Mechanism to double it within five years. They called for early implementation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which offers a unique opportunity to expand bilateral trade and investment.
The leaders also discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the SME, aviation and railway sectors. They welcomed the agreement to establish a Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics in Kanpur. Welcoming the establishment of a Dialogue on Economic Security, both leaders agreed to strengthen supply chain resilience, especially in critical minerals.
Recognizing the key role of innovation and technology in the bilateral relationship, both sides adopted an “Innovation Roadmap 2030” to give the partnership a long-term direction. Both leaders discussed expanding cooperation on Artificial Intelligence and agreed to create a Joint India-France AI Working Group for the purpose.
The joint inauguration of Bharat Innovates at Nice by the leaders, and Prime Minister’s upcoming participation at Vivatech in Paris have further strengthened the partnership between the two countries in sectors such as deep-tech, semiconductors, agri-tech, med-tech, renewable energy, defence and space. Both leaders appreciated the continued expansion of UPI in France, as well as the signing of 19 agreements among institutions in the innovation ecosystems of both countries.
The two leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing people-to-people ties. In this context, Prime Minister thanked President Macron for the swift operationalisation of visa-free transit for Indian nationals at French airports. They further discussed ways to enhance the mobility of talent and students between the two countries and expanding mutual recognition of educational qualifications.
Prime Minister invited French universities to open campuses in India under the New Education Policy. The leaders also agreed to enhance cooperation among museums and cultural institutions, including the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal.
The leaders exchanged perspectives on matters of global importance, including the situation in West Asia and Ukraine. Prime Minter looked forward to participating in the upcoming G7 summit in Evian and thanked President Macron for engaging India in substantive discussions leading up to the summit.
Both leaders reiterated the importance of the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership in creating further opportunities for the peoples of the two countries and advancing international peace, stability and prosperity.
Prime Minister and President Macron also viewed the works of French artists Mr. Thibault De La Lance and Mr. Théophile de Bascher created during their 10-day art residency in Jaipur, India. The artists drew inspiration from Indian heritage and aesthetics resulting in works reflecting the cultural confluence of India and France.
Following the talks, President Macron hosted a lunch in honour of Prime Minister Modi
