Middle power partnership: India-France to advance cooperation under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap

French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive in Mumbai on late Monday night on a four-day India visit that would not only boost defence and Indo-Pacific partnership but also give momentum to a new area of cooperation – Innovation.

During the visit, PM Narendra Modi and Macron will engage in comprehensive talks aimed at advancing cooperation under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, which sets out a long-term framework for ties between India and France.

The “Horizon 2047” roadmap is a long-term framework adopted in 2023 to expand collaboration in areas ranging from fighter jet production and nuclear energy to critical minerals and high-tech manufacturing.


A MoU on critical minerals could be signed following Modi-Macron talks in Mumbai on Tuesday as India seeks to sew partnership with various partners in the field of critical minerals amid China’s efforts to dominate supply chains.

France unlike certain Western states have appreciated India’s concept of strategic autonomy as it itself pursues this principle. Delhi and Paris both have deep interests in the Indo-Pacific region and are putting together a partnership of middle powers.

Defence partnership is the backbone of India-France strategic partnership and understandably will figure prominently during Modi-Macron talks. Last week, the government approved the purchase of additional Rafale jets as part of New Delhi’s 3.6 trillion rupee defence acquisition package. India is looking to procure 31 Rafale Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy in addition to the proposed 114 French aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Earlier, India and France had also signed a Rs 64,000 crore deal for 26 Rafale-Ms for the Indian Navy. The IAF operates 36 Rafales bought in 2016 and last year

Macron will also address India-France Innovation Forum in Mumbai before arriving in Delhi for the AI Impact Summit.

At the Innovation Forum Modi and Macron will address a gathering of business leaders, start-ups, researchers and innovators from both countries, underscoring the focus on expanding collaboration in technology, research, and innovation-driven sectors.

At the AI Impact Summit discussions are expected to focus on joint research, developing common standards for trustworthy AI, and strengthening ties between French and Indian technology companies.

Last year addressing AI Action Summit in Paris co-hosted by India and France, Modi had said that Artificial Intelligence is already is writing the code for humanity in this century and there is a need for democratizing technology, create people-centric applications and address concerns related to cyber security, disinformation, and deep fakes.

This will be the French president's fourth India visit.