India-France Bilateral Talks: Nice Summit
Context: PM Modi and President Macron held bilateral talks in Nice, France, focusing on innovation, technology and economic security cooperation.
Outcomes from the Talk
- Innovation Roadmap 2030: Both sides adopted a roadmap to give the partnership a long-term direction in technology and innovation.
- AI Working Group: A Joint India-France AI Working Group was created to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence.
- 19 Agreements Signed: Multiple agreements were signed between entities in the innovation ecosystems of both countries.
- Economic Security Dialogue: A new dialogue mechanism established to strengthen supply chain resilience particularly in critical minerals.
- India-EU FTA: Both sides called for early implementation of the India-EU FTA signed in February 2026.
- Trade Target: A High-Level Mechanism was set up to double bilateral trade within five years.
- At present the bilateral trade between India and France stands at approximately $15.81 billion.
- Visa Facilitation: PM Modi thanked Macron for speedy implementation of visa-free transit for Indians at French airports.
- Education: PM Modi invited French universities to open campuses in India under the National Education Policy.
Nuclear and Space Cooperation
- Leaders discussed private sector collaboration in space and implications of the SHANTI Act governing India’s nuclear sector.
- The French nuclear companies can participate directly or with Indian private firms in conventional reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
- Discussions between EDF (Électricité de France) and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India for the Jaitapur nuclear power plant (six reactor units) are ongoing after more than 15 years.
Bharat Innovates 2026
- PM Modi and Macron co-inaugurated Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice focusing on trust and cooperation in technology.
- Modi invited global investors to “design in India, develop in India, and create solutions for the world”.
- Modi noted India has shifted from being a technology adopter to a technology provider, citing progress in defence and space.
- Macron emphasised the need for trusted, inclusive and human-centric technologies amid global AI restrictions.
- Macron described France’s Make in India alignment and confirmed France’s LLM development can compete with China and the US.
- French sources indicated willingness to align defence cooperation, including the proposed sale of 114 Rafale fighter jets under Make in India.
Significance
- The summit reflects deepening of the Special Global Strategic Partnership announced earlier this year.
- It signals growing convergence on technology trust, AI governance and nuclear cooperation amid global geopolitical realignment.
- The SHANTI Act reforms open India’s nuclear sector to meaningful international private participation for the first time.
