“The question is no longer whether India innovates – it is ‘who will innovate with India?’” declared French President Emmanuel Macron.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India from February 17 to 19 – his fourth since taking office in 2017 – was emblematic of the accelerating momentum in France-India relations. The visit came in the immediate aftermath of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement concluded on January 27 and followed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reciprocal visit to France a year earlier, reflecting the now-established rhythm of high-level exchanges between Paris and New Delhi.

In February 2026, the two leaders further consolidated the relationship, which was formally elevated to a Special Global Strategic Partnership, with an agenda conspicuously oriented toward innovation, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. That is a testament to how far the partnership has evolved beyond its traditional strategic and defense foundations.