Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held a joint press briefing in Mumbai on Tuesday following delegation-level discussions aimed at strengthening the longstanding India–France strategic partnership. Both leaders outlined their shared vision for deeper defence, technological and cultural cooperation, setting the tone for a renewed phase of bilateral engagement. During the joint presser, President Macron emphasised that both nations are expanding their collaboration in the defence sector. He described the bilateral relationship as remarkable and unique, grounded in “trust, openness and ambition”. “From Rafale jets to submarines, we are expanding defence cooperation. We have also decided today to elevate this partnership to a Special Strategic Partnership, granting it a new status. There is no doubt about that, because we have complete faith in this relationship, and we have been doing so for the past eight years,” Macron added.
