France has long been one of India’s most dependable partners, with whom ties have acquired renewed momentum over the past 12 months. This time, too, defence and AI dominated the agenda during talks between PM Modi and President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai. The long-term strategic convergence articulated in the Horizon 2047 Roadmap is designed to support one another in a world where might-is-right is increasingly the governing principle. It is a shared reading of the strained international order that has prompted France and India to continue upgrading defence ties. The move aligns with India’s continuing efforts to diversify defence imports and reduce its dependence on Russia as its principal military supplier.

Source: Indian Express February 19, 2026 11:15 UTC