India and France Launch Innovation Roadmap 2030, Economic Security Dialogue

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Nice, France, on June 14, 2026, for the 'Bharat Innovates' technology conference, India and France officially adopted the 'Innovation Roadmap 2030' and established an 'Economic Security Dialogue'. These significant developments underscore the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations, which was recently elevated to a 'Special Global Strategic Partnership' in February 2026. The Innovation Roadmap 2030 is designed as a comprehensive framework to guide collaborative efforts in advancing co-development across critical and emerging technologies. Key areas of focus include artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, critical minerals, startups, digital technology, cybersecurity, education, and space exploration. Both leaders recognized innovation as a central driver for economic resilience, sustainable development, strategic autonomy, and technological and industrial sovereignty. A crucial aspect of this roadmap is the creation of a Joint India-France AI Working Group, aimed at expanding cooperation in AI and its global governance. The partnership emphasizes the development of 'trusted AI' systems that are secure, ethical, and aligned with democratic values, while also preventing misinformation. The year 2026 has been designated as the India-France Year of Innovation, further highlighting the commitment to this collaboration. During the visit, 19 agreements were signed between entities within the innovation ecosystems of both countries, facilitating greater interaction and joint ventures. The establishment of the Economic Security Dialogue is another cornerstone of this enhanced partnership, with a primary objective to strengthen supply chain resilience, particularly in critical minerals. This dialogue also aims to significantly boost economic engagement, with both sides agreeing to set up a High-Level Mechanism to double bilateral trade within five years. Discussions during the visit also covered cooperation in the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) sector, rail, and aviation. Furthermore, both nations called for the early implementation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which was reportedly signed in February 2026, indicating a broader economic alignment with the European Union. These initiatives build upon a robust and evolving strategic relationship between India and France, which marked its 25th anniversary in 2023. During Prime Minister Modi's visit to France in July 2023 as the Guest of Honour at Bastille Day celebrations, the 'Horizon 2047 Roadmap' was adopted, setting an ambitious course for the next 25 years, aligning with the centenary of India's independence and 100 years of diplomatic ties. The partnership has historically been strong in defense and security, civil nuclear energy, and space, and has since expanded to include new areas like the blue economy, environment, and trilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Defence cooperation remains a critical pillar, encompassing advanced aeronautical technologies, joint development of combat aircraft engines, and industrial cooperation for heavy-lift helicopters. In space, India and France continue their five-decade-long partnership, with plans to host international space events like the Bengaluru Space Expo and the International Space Summit. People-to-people ties are also being strengthened, with France setting a target to host 30,000 Indian students by 2030 and reaffirming cooperation on mobility for students, researchers, and professionals. The leaders also exchanged views on significant global issues, including the situations in West Asia and Ukraine, underscoring their shared commitment to a stable, rules-based international order and multilateralism. Prime Minister Modi's June 2026 visit to France included bilateral meetings in Nice on June 14, with further engagements scheduled in Evian and Paris later in the month for the G7 Summit and VivaTech Summit, respectively. This ongoing high-level engagement reflects the mutual trust and shared vision between India and France to collaborate on global challenges and contribute to a multipolar world order.

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