French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that France and India do not want to “submit to any form of hegemony” and emphasized their commitment to the rule of law and international norms.
“We believe in a third way, in a free and open Indo-Pacific, in cooperation in defense technology and trade, and in the determination not to submit to any form of hegemony,” Macron said at a news conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as part of his three-day visit to India.
Modi hosted Macron in Mumbai, India’s financial hub, where the two sides held delegation-level discussions.
Macron noted that they “believe in” the rule of law, predictability, and “effective multilateralism.”
He reaffirmed that the Franco-Indian relationship is “in a phase of remarkable acceleration” in response to the transformation of the international order.
The French president reiterated the importance both nations attach to the concept of strategic autonomy, stressing that they share the same vision — not to be “drawn into the conflicts of a few,” but instead to pursue “an open and clear-eyed partnership approach.”
“We believe in international trade, and we reject methods of coercion,” Macron underscored.
‘Special global strategic partnership’
After his official talks with Macron, Modi announced that New Delhi and Paris had decided to elevate their relationship to “special global strategic partnership.”
Modi described the upgraded partnership as a step toward closer strategic, economic, and technological cooperation between the two nations.
“This partnership is not just strategic. In today’s turbulent era, this is a partnership of global stability and global progress,” he said, adding that the two nations “will make in India the only helicopter in the world to fly to the heights of Mount Everest.”
Modi said India and France share democratic values, respect for the rule of law, and support a multipolar world.
He added that the two countries will work through global institutions to address international challenges, including efforts to promote peace in Ukraine, West Asia, and the Indo-Pacific.
Modi said the two countries would continue promoting stability and prosperity through multilateralism, dialogue, and diplomacy. He added that in a world of uncertainty, the India-France partnership serves as a “force for global stability.”
Macron arrived in Mumbai around midnight Monday, beginning his three-day visit to the South Asian nation. He will also visit New Delhi to participate in the ongoing AI Impact Summit hosted by India.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said the two leaders held “productive” talks.
“Discussions touched on a range of issues including strategic, defence and security, trade and investment, joint manufacturing, critical minerals supply chain, research and development, and education, among others,” he said through US social media company X.
Jaiswal said the two leaders announced a total of 21 key outcomes, including in defense.
The leaders also virtually inaugurated the H125 helicopter assembly plant.
India and France established diplomatic relations soon after India’s independence in 1947, and their bilateral trade volume reached $15 billion in 2024.
The two nations have strengthened their ties, particularly in defense, as the Indian Defense Ministry last week approved the fresh acquisition of Rafale jets from France.
On Tuesday evening, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin co-chaired the sixth India-France annual defense dialogue in the southern Bengaluru city.
Both countries announced the reciprocal deployment of officers at the Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments, and the renewal of the 10-year defense cooperation agreement was signed, the Indian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
A memorandum of understanding on joint venture was also signed for the manufacturing of Hammer missiles in India, the ministry added.
