India, France elevate ties to ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’, sign key pacts on defence, critical minerals and innovation
- IBEF
- February 19, 2026
A major step toward strengthening collaboration in the areas of innovation, critical minerals, and defence has been taken with the elevation of India and France's bilateral relationship to a "Special Global Strategic Partnership." The development shows how the two countries' strategic interests are increasingly aligning, especially in fields like technology, security, and sustainable development. To support India's efforts to improve its domestic capabilities, the agreement calls for increased cooperation in defence manufacturing, with an emphasis on co-development and co-production. To strengthen resilience in the face of global supply uncertainties, both nations have also decided to increase their cooperation in safeguarding vital mineral supply chains, which are necessary for advanced manufacturing and clean energy technologies.
With both countries seeking to expand cooperative projects in developing fields, the partnership also places a high priority on innovation, digital technologies, and research cooperation. These include clean energy, space technology, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), all of which support India's overarching objective of developing its technological ecosystem and attaining sustainable growth. It is anticipated that the partnership will promote more investments, industry partnerships, and knowledge sharing, thereby fortifying economic ties. India and France hope to strengthen their relationship to increase strategic autonomy and long-term economic cooperation while taking a more active part in tackling global issues like energy transition, climate change, and technological advancement.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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