France and India Deepen Strategic Partnership with Focus on AI Regulation and Defense Cooperation

French President Emmanuel Macron is on his fourth official visit to India, reinforcing a rapidly expanding strategic partnership with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Central to their talks are strategic autonomy for their nations and Europe amid rising protectionism from the US and China. A landmark free trade agreement between the EU and India was signed just last month, underpinning the burgeoning economic ties.

A major highlight is France's securing of a defense contract for 114 Rafale jets valued at 33 billion euros. Macron's delegation includes over one hundred French companies, notably from the technology sector, participating in an AI summit held in New Delhi on February 18, 2026. During this summit, both countries emphasized the need for a robust regulatory framework on artificial intelligence to protect children and combat misinformation, prioritizing algorithm transparency.

India's recent legislative proposals on digital platforms closely align with France's vision for AI regulation. Beyond technology and defense, discussions also cover critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel—vital for climate transition efforts—as India seeks to reduce dependency on China through recycling strategies.

While both leaders express shared commitment to these strategic domains, some experts remain cautious about India's reliability as a partner compared to China or the US, given its pragmatic foreign policy stance. Nonetheless, this visit solidifies France-India ties across defense, trade, and emerging technology regulations, signaling deepened bilateral cooperation in 2026.