NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to India-France partnership as they signed several key agreements and reviewed cooperation in areas of defence, civil nuclear energy and space. The two leaders launched an India-France Roadmap on Artificial Intelligence(AI) and also inaugurated the logo for ‘India-France Year of Innovation 2026.’
A joint statement issued by MEA after PM Modi‘s two-day visit to France said the two leaders called for enhancing trade and investment ties and committed themselves to further deepening engagement in the Indo-Pacific and various global forums and initiatives.
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The two leaders stressed on urgent need for reforms in the United Nations Security Council and agreed to coordinate closely on various global issues, including the UNSC matters. French President Macron reiterated his country’s firm support for India’s permanent membership of the UNSC.
Prime Minister Modi invited the French Army to take a closer look at the Pinaka MBRL, emphasizing that an acquisition of this system by France would be another milestone in the longstanding Indo-French defence ties.
India and France also agreed to strengthen partnership on advanced modular and small modular nuclear reactors for training and education purposes.
“Prime Minister Modi and President Macron stressed that nuclear energy is an essential part of the energy mix for strengthening energy security and transitioning towards a low-carbon economy. Both leaders acknowledged the India-France civil nuclear ties and efforts in cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, notably in relation with the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant Project,” read a joint statement issued by the MEA.
“They welcomed the first meeting of the Special Task Force on Civil Nuclear Energy, and welcomed the signing of a letter of intent on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) and Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) and the Implementing Agreement between India’s GCNEP, DAE and France’s INSTN, CEA for cooperation in training and education of nuclear professionals,” the statement said.