Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s much-anticipated visit to Paris next month is expected to solidify India-France defense and technology ties, with two major defense deals likely to be finalized during the trip. In addition to attending the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit, Modi’s visit will focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in defense, maritime security, and emerging technologies.
Key Defense deals worth over $10 bn
As part of the ongoing defense cooperation between India and France, two significant deals are expected to be announced during PM Modi’s visit. These include the procurement of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets and three additional Scorpene-class submarines for the Indian Navy. The combined value of these deals exceeds $10 billion, marking a major milestone in the strategic defense partnership between the two nations.
According to sources, the deals are currently under review and are expected to be placed before India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for final approval in the coming weeks. The Rafale-M fighters, designed for aircraft carriers, will enhance India’s naval air capabilities, while the additional submarines will strengthen its underwater combat power.
Focus on Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific
A key element of the India-France strategic partnership is their shared commitment to ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Ahead of PM Modi’s visit, India and France held their 7th Maritime Cooperation Dialogue on January 14, 2025, in New Delhi. The discussions were co-chaired by India’s Deputy National Security Advisor Pavan Kapoor and France’s Alice Rufo, Director General for International Relations and Strategy at the French Ministry for the Armed Forces.
Both sides reaffirmed their vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific and committed to enhancing cooperation to safeguard freedom of navigation and maritime security. This includes tackling threats such as piracy, maritime terrorism, and illegal unreported fishing. They also discussed cybersecurity and marine pollution challenges, with both nations agreeing to strengthen existing mechanisms like the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) and Regional Coordination Operations Centre in Seychelles.
Moreover, India and France have committed to collaborating on biodiversity conservation and sustainable ocean governance in the region, with a focus on preserving marine resources through platforms like the United Nations Ocean Conference.
AI Summit to Highlight Global Technological Cooperation
In addition to defense and maritime discussions, PM Modi’s visit to Paris will include participation in the AI Action Summit on February 11-12, 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron, in a statement on January 10, 2024, confirmed that the summit will bring together leading nations including the US, China, India, and Gulf States to discuss artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications on global governance, innovation, and society. The summit will focus on five key themes: public interest AI, the future of work, AI’s role in innovation, trust in AI, and global AI governance.
India’s role in AI and digital technologies will be underlined during this event, reinforcing the nation’s growing influence in the global technology landscape. India’s interest in collaborating with France on high-end technologies, including AI and aerospace, has been underscored by discussions between the two nations in recent months.
Misri’s Visit to France Strengthens Bilateral Ties
Ahead of the visit, India and France engaged in a series of foreign office consultations in Paris, co-chaired by India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and French Ministry Secretary-General Anne-Marie Descotes. This meeting covered a wide array of topics, including ongoing global crises like the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Middle East tensions, along with discussions on trade, cybersecurity, AI, and space cooperation.
The talks also highlighted the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, an initiative aimed at expanding bilateral ties across defense, trade, and high-tech sectors. This roadmap, unveiled in July 2023, serves as a guide for India and France to enhance collaboration on emerging technologies and foster people-to-people exchanges.
Looking Ahead: A Stronger India-France Strategic Partnership
As PM Modi’s visit to Paris draws nearer, the focus will be on the multifaceted aspects of India-France cooperation, from defense and maritime security to technological and environmental cooperation. The expected defense deals, along with advancements in AI and cybersecurity collaboration, will ensure that India continues to strengthen its global defense capabilities and technological infrastructure. Meanwhile, the partnership’s commitment to maritime security will bolster stability in the Indian Ocean, a region of growing strategic importance.
With both nations keen on expanding their bilateral ties, especially in high-end technology sectors, PM Modi’s visit to Paris is set to mark a new chapter in the India-France strategic relationship, with tangible benefits for both countries in the years ahead.