India-France Bilateral Talks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met French President Emmanuel Macron in Nice on June 14, 2026, during the Bharat Innovates technology conference. The meeting underscored the enhanced cooperation between India and France.
Key Outcomes
- Innovation Roadmap 2030: Both nations adopted this roadmap to provide a long-term direction for their partnership, emphasizing innovation and technology.
- Joint India-France AI Working Group: A new collaborative group was established to boost cooperation in artificial intelligence.
- Agreements: 19 agreements were signed between entities in the innovation ecosystems of both countries.
- India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA): The leaders called for the fast adoption and early implementation of the FTA, aiming to set up a High-Level Mechanism to double trade in five years.
- Economic Security Dialogue: Both sides agreed to strengthen supply chain resilience, particularly in critical minerals.
Global and Sectorial Discussions
- Global Issues: Modi and Macron exchanged views on major global crises, including situations in West Asia and Ukraine.
- Visa-Free Transit: Modi thanked Macron for implementing visa-free transit for Indians in French airports.
- Education: French universities were invited to open campuses in India under the New Education Policy.
- Space and Nuclear Sector Collaboration: Discussions on private sector collaboration in space and the implications of the SHANTI Act in India's nuclear sector were held.
- Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant: Ongoing discussions between French company EDF and India's Nuclear Power Corporation for the Jaitapur project were confirmed.
Following the discussions, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to Vienna and then to Bratislava, Slovakia, continuing his Europe visit.
