They also virtually inaugurated an assembly line of Tata Airbus in Karnataka’s Vemagal that builds the Airbus H125 light utility helicopters.
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At a joint press meeting, Modi said, “We take pride in the fact that, together, India and France will manufacture in India the world’s only helicopter capable of flying to the heights of Mount Everest and export it to the entire world.” He said the India-France partnership has “no boundaries” and that it extends from the deep oceans to the tallest mountains.
Macron said, “From Rafale jets to submarines, we are expanding defence cooperation,” he said. He thanked Modi for the warm welcome on his fourth official visit to India.
Macron described bilateral ties as “remarkable and unique. This relationship is one of trust, openness and ambition,” he said. “There is no doubt about that, because we have complete faith in this relationship, and we have been doing so for the past eight years. Each year, by working on different things, we have charted many new paths.”
The Tata Airbus facility, marking a significant milestone in bilateral defence and aerospace cooperation, is expected to bolster indigenous manufacturing capabilities and advance the Make in India initiative in aviation.
The two sides also concluded the Joint Declaration of Intent for Cooperation in Critical Minerals and Metals.
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India-France Year of Innovation
Modi said the launch of the ‘India-France Year of Innovation’ will transform bilateral ties into a “partnership of the people,” emphasising collaboration in defence, clean energy, space and emerging technologies. The initiative will connect industries, startups and MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), promote exchanges between students and researchers, and help establish new centres for joint innovation with France, he said.
Amid heightened geopolitical uncertainties, the PM said the India-France combine is a force for global stability. He highlighted that both will continue to strengthen efforts for stability and prosperity through multilateralism, dialogue and diplomacy.