Mumbai, Feb 17 (NationPress) In a groundbreaking development marking a significant milestone in diplomatic relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday officially upgraded the India-France partnership to a "Special Global Strategic Partnership."

This declaration was made during pivotal discussions at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai, which was President Macron’s fourth trip to India and his inaugural visit to the country’s financial hub.

The leaders presented an ambitious framework focusing on defense, technology, and health, underlining their dedication to the Horizon 2047 vision, according to an official statement.

During this visit, notable advancements in defense manufacturing were achieved, aligning with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative. The leaders virtually inaugurated the first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line in Vemagal, Karnataka.

This collaboration aims to manufacture the H125 light utility helicopter, with the initial "Made in India" model anticipated by 2027. An agreement was signed between Bharat Electronics (BEL) and France’s Safran for the production of HAMMER precision-guided missiles within India.

A new "Centre of Excellence" is set to be established in Pune focusing on manufacturing and maintenance for the Indian Air Force and Navy. Both nations renewed their comprehensive Agreement on Defence Cooperation, ensuring ongoing collaboration between the Indian Army and French Land Forces through reciprocal officer exchanges.

Emphasizing the progressive nature of their partnership, the leaders officially inaugurated the India-France Year of Innovation 2026.

Prime Minister Modi characterized the India-France alliance as a "force for global stability" amid growing global uncertainties.

He highlighted that this partnership has matured beyond conventional diplomacy into a "Partnership of the People," particularly with the launch of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026.

President Macron articulated that the India-France relationship is boundless, capable of reaching both the depths of the ocean and the heights of the skies, emphasizing a commitment to shared prosperity.

Additional key outcomes included the launch of the India-France Year of Innovation, the establishment of the India-France Innovation Network, and the renewal of the Defence Cooperation Agreement, which facilitates reciprocal officer deployments between the Indian Army and French Land Forces. Notably, a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group was constituted, alongside a joint Declaration of Intent for cooperation in Critical Minerals and Metals, and a letter of Intent for establishing a Centre on Advanced Materials between DST and CNRS.

The summit also addressed amendments to the Protocol on the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement between India and France, focusing on areas such as the economy, startups, science and technology, health, renewable energy, and skill development.

In the health sector, new agreements emerged for research on infectious diseases and the establishment of an Indo-French Centre for Metabolic Health Sciences.