February 17, New Delhi: The visit of the President of the French Republic to India from February 17–19, 2026, resulted in several key agreements and initiatives across political, technological, defence, and economic sectors.
Key Outcomes:
Political & Strategic
* Upgrading the India-France relationship to a "Special Global Strategic Partnership."
* Establishment of an annual Foreign Ministers Dialogue to review partnership implementation and the Horizon 2047 Roadmap.
Technology & Innovation
* Launch of the India-France Year of Innovation.
* Launch of the India-France Innovation Network.
Defence & Security
* Inauguration of the H125 Helicopter Final Assembly Line at Vemagal, Karnataka.
* Renewal of the Defence Cooperation Agreement between India and France.
* Joint venture between BEL and Safran to produce HAMMER missiles in India.
* Reciprocal deployment of officers at Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments.
* Constitution of a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group for critical and emerging technologies.
Critical & Emerging Technologies
* Joint Declaration of Intent for cooperation in critical minerals and metals.
* Letter of Intent to establish a Centre on Advanced Materials between DST and CNRS.
Economy, Startups, Science & Technology, Health, Renewable Energy, and Skilling
* Amending the Protocol on the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement.
* Letter of Intent between T-Hub and Nord France on startup ecosystem collaboration.
* MoU for scientific collaboration between DST and CNRS.
* Joint Declaration of Intent to establish an Indo-French Centre for Digital Sciences and Technology.
* Launch of the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health at AIIMS, New Delhi.
* Letter of Intent between DBT and ANRS on infectious diseases and global health research.
* Agreement to establish Indo-French Centre for Metabolic Health Sciences.
* Letter of Intent to establish a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics.
* Renewal of the MoU on renewable energy cooperation between India and France.
* Letter of Intent between the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, and La Poste, France.
Source: MEA