There’s a Make in India Twist in New Delhi-Paris Ties, From Buyer-Seller to Co-Creation
French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi share a strong personal chemistry. As India’s ambassador to France, I was witness to the very first meeting between the newly elected Macron and a Modi who was a political newbie in June 2017. Since then, the two leaders have met 20 times in both bilateral and multilateral formats.
But among all the summit-level meetings between the two leaders, this one feels different. Is it because France and India are two proud middle powers reacting to geopolitical turbulence? Whatever the reasons, the two leaders decided to elevate the Franco-Indian strategic partnership to a “special” and “global” one.
Defence: From Buyer-Seller to Co-Creation
Defence has always been the bulwark of the Franco-Indian relationship. But a systemic shift is on, which entails moving from a buyer-seller relationship to a partnership based on co-design, co-development, and co-production of defence platforms and equipment.
While the procurement of Rafales has led to further commercial negotiations, the bulk of it will be manufactured in India with significant local content requirements. This is not just about assembling imported kits; it is about真正的 technology transfer and indigenous manufacturing. The deals between SAFRAN, DRDO, and Bharat Electronics are also in the vein of Make in India projects, ensuring that Indian industry becomes an integral part of the defence supply chain.
The inauguration of the final assembly line in Karnataka of the Tata-Airbus H125 helicopter is paradigmatic of the shift in Indo-French ties when it comes to defence. This is not a one-off assembly line; it is a statement that India can be a manufacturing hub for advanced aerospace platforms, serving not just domestic needs but global markets. The helicopter, capable of flying to the heights of Mount Everest, will be made in India and available for export in the South Asian region.
2026 as the Year of Innovation
India and France dedicating 2026 as the year of innovation is significant. It will establish close, substantive, and irreversible linkages between the start-up and innovation ecosystems of the two countries and provide a common platform for the talent in both countries to come together on critical and emerging technologies, space, and civil nuclear energy.
The India-France Innovation Network will bring together the innovation ecosystems of France and India through a digital network, by connecting key stakeholders including innovators, start-ups, businesses, and incubators of both countries. This is not just about government-to-government cooperation; it is about creating a vibrant ecosystem where entrepreneurs, researchers, and businesses can connect and collaborate.
AI: The Third Way
President Macron is one of the key leaders at the ongoing India AI Summit. France and India hold similar views on seminal issues surrounding AI relating to ethics, trust, and inclusion. India, more than anything else, will be keen to avoid the pitfalls of a new divide caused by AI. How India handles the disruptions of AI by scaling it will hold important lessons for countries of the Global South.
France and India have always stood for a third or middle path when it comes to tech and innovation. Against that backdrop, the partnership in AI will be vital for the world at large. Between American corporate concentration and Chinese state-centric control, India and France advocate regulatory frameworks that protect sovereignty while encouraging innovation. This “third way” is not just about avoiding the extremes; it is about forging a path that reflects democratic values and developmental priorities.
Nuclear Energy: Small and Advanced Modular Reactors
AI will need massive amounts of energy. In this context, cooperation on Small and Advanced Modular Reactors between India and France and the joint commitment to apply the highest standards of safety, security, and non-proliferation is important.
The two leaders underlined efforts to strengthen cooperation between French start-up companies and relevant Indian companies in this sector. Separately, the two sides also agreed to explore the possibility of establishing cooperation in research and development on SMR/AMR between the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission and India’s Department of Atomic Energy.
This is significant because it positions India at the forefront of next-generation nuclear technology. SMRs and AMRs offer the promise of safer, more flexible, and more scalable nuclear power, which could be a game-changer for India’s energy security and climate goals.
Climate Action: Keeping the Flame Alive
At a time when much of the world seems to be losing both the political will and the interest in the fight against the climate crisis, it is most important for the Horizon 2047 roadmap. The world may lose interest in the matter; but India cannot afford to let up in its fight against the climate crisis. It must join hands with France to make its own cities breathable, liveable, and sustainable.
The climate crisis is not a distant threat; it is a present reality for millions of Indians. Heatwaves, floods, droughts, and cyclones are becoming more frequent and severe. Cooperation with France on sustainable urban development, clean energy, and climate resilience is not just a matter of international diplomacy; it is a matter of survival.
The European Context
This Macron visit must be situated in the larger context of India’s engagement with the European Union. Indeed, both leaders underlined the importance of strengthening EU-India relations and welcomed not just the free trade agreement but also the security and defence partnership signed between the two sides. The two leaders agreed that this will contribute to the strategic autonomy of the EU and India.
The EU and India fancy themselves as independent poles in a multipolar world. They know that the fate of a genuinely multipolar world and a stable rules-based international order hinges on middle powers such as France and India joining hands. With France chairing the G7 and India leading the BRICS in 2026, there will be ample opportunities for both countries to work together to realise their common strategic objectives.
Conclusion: A Partnership for the Ages
The India-France relationship has matured against considerable odds. That post-colonial India could build such a close relationship with a former imperial power is remarkable. That this relationship has flourished despite changes in government in both countries is testament to its strength.
The shift from buyer-seller to co-creation in defence, the dedication of 2026 as the year of innovation, the convergence on AI governance, the cooperation on next-generation nuclear reactors, and the shared commitment to climate action all point in one direction: this partnership is not just enduring; it is deepening.
In a world of uncertainty, the India-France partnership offers a measure of stability. In a world seeking alternatives, it offers a model of cooperation based on trust, shared values, and mutual benefit. The Make in India twist is not just about manufacturing; it is about making a future together.
Q&A: Unpacking the India-France Strategic Partnership
Q1: What is the significance of the shift from buyer-seller to co-creation in defence?
This shift represents a fundamental transformation in the defence relationship. Instead of India simply buying finished platforms from France, the new model involves co-design, co-development, and co-production. The Rafale deal now includes significant local manufacturing content. Deals with SAFRAN, DRDO, and Bharat Electronics follow the Make in India ethos. The Tata-Airbus H125 helicopter assembly line in Karnataka exemplifies this new paradigm.
Q2: What does dedicating 2026 as the year of innovation entail?
The year of innovation will establish close linkages between the start-up and innovation ecosystems of both countries. The India-France Innovation Network will connect innovators, start-ups, businesses, and incubators through a digital platform, creating a common space for talent to collaborate on critical and emerging technologies, space, and civil nuclear energy. It signals a commitment to making the partnership irreversible.
Q3: What is the “third way” on AI that India and France advocate?
India and France advocate regulatory frameworks that protect sovereignty while encouraging innovation—a middle path between American corporate concentration and Chinese state-centric control. They share views on AI ethics, trust, and inclusion. Both are keen to avoid a new technological divide and believe that how India handles AI disruption will hold important lessons for the Global South.
Q4: Why is cooperation on Small and Advanced Modular Reactors significant?
AI will require massive amounts of energy. SMRs and AMRs represent next-generation nuclear technology offering safer, more flexible, and scalable power. Cooperation between French start-ups and Indian companies, and between research institutions, positions India at the forefront of this technology. It addresses both energy security and climate goals while maintaining highest safety and non-proliferation standards.
Q5: How does this partnership fit into India’s broader engagement with Europe?
The Macron visit must be seen in the context of strengthening EU-India relations, including the recent FTA and security partnership. Both India and the EU see themselves as independent poles in a multipolar world, and believe that the fate of a rules-based order hinges on middle powers joining hands. With France chairing the G7 and India leading BRICS in 2026, there are ample opportunities to realise common strategic objectives.
