Rafale, submarines, tech: Emmanuel Macron maps next chapter with India

Highlighting deepening defence and technology collaboration at the AI Summit, French President Emmanuel Macron said ties between India and France have evolved beyond a traditional strategic partnership into what he described as a “special global strategic partnership” — a relationship he stressed is unique for both nations.

Speaking to NDTV on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit 2026, Macron pointed to a broadening agenda spanning defence, innovation, culture, research and creative industries, calling the current phase a decisive step forward in bilateral cooperation.

A central pillar of that expansion is India’s plan to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets, with Paris pushing for deeper industrial integration rather than a simple purchase. Macron said New Delhi had recently confirmed its willingness to move ahead with the order and emphasised that co-production under India’s “Make in India” framework would be at the core of the deal.


He added that France wants the partnership to extend beyond manufacturing into maintenance capabilities, technology sharing and diversified operational cooperation, describing the project as crucial for consolidating existing defence ties while opening new avenues.

Macron also signalled interest in expanding collaboration in other strategic sectors, including submarines, engines and helicopters, pointing to ongoing industrial partnerships between Airbus and Tata Group as examples of how bilateral defence cooperation is moving from procurement to joint production ecosystems.

Taken together, he suggested, these initiatives mark the beginning of a new phase in Indo-French relations — one defined less by transactions and more by long-term strategic alignment across advanced technologies and defence manufacturing.