India, France Deepen Defence, Trade Ties During Modi-Macron Talks

New Delhi, Jun 15 (KNN) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held bilateral talks in Nice on June 14 and reviewed progress in the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership.

The two leaders agreed on measures to expand cooperation in defence, trade, technology, innovation and people-to-people ties.

The leaders agreed to further strengthen defence collaboration with a focus on co-design, co-development and co-production of defence platforms and advanced technologies.

They also discussed expanding cooperation in the space sector, including human spaceflight, space situational awareness and greater private-sector participation.

In the economic sphere, both sides reviewed the implementation of the Horizon 2047 Roadmap and agreed to establish a high-level mechanism aimed at doubling bilateral trade within the next five years.

They also called for the early conclusion and implementation of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement to boost trade and investment flows.

The discussions covered opportunities to enhance cooperation in MSMEs, aviation and railways. The two countries welcomed the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics in Kanpur and agreed to strengthen supply chain resilience through a newly launched Dialogue on Economic Security, particularly in critical minerals.

India and France adopted an Innovation Roadmap 2030 to guide future collaboration in emerging technologies.

The two leaders also agreed to establish a Joint India-France AI Working Group and discussed expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence, deep-tech, semiconductors, agri-tech, med-tech, renewable energy, defence and space sectors.

The leaders noted the continued expansion of India's UPI payment system in France and welcomed the signing of 19 agreements between institutions from the innovation ecosystems of both countries.

On mobility and education, the two sides discussed measures to facilitate the movement of students and skilled professionals and expand mutual recognition of educational qualifications. Modi also invited French universities to establish campuses in India under the National Education Policy.

The meeting marked the first engagement between the two leaders since the elevation of India-France ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership earlier this year.

(KNN Bureau)