New Delhi, Jan 13 (.) India and France reaffirmed their “strong and trusted” strategic partnership on Tuesday, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, underscoring deepening cooperation in innovation, technology, education and broader geopolitical issues ahead of Macron’s anticipated visit to India.
In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi said he was “delighted” to receive Bonne, noting the India–France Strategic Partnership’s long-standing strength and its evolution into new domains of collaboration.
“Encouraging to see our collaboration expanding into innovation, technology and education, especially as we mark the India–France Year of Innovation,” he wrote, adding that the two exchanged perspectives on key regional and global issues and that he looks forward to welcoming President Macron to India soon.
Officials said the meeting took place against the backdrop of the 38th India–France Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi — co-chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Bonne — in which both sides reviewed cooperation across security, defence, space, civil nuclear energy and emerging technologies, echoing the broadening agenda of bilateral ties.
“This strategic partnership is built on mutual trust and shared interests in peace, security and prosperity,” PM Modi reportedly told aides after the meeting, stressing the value of expanding cooperation in cutting-edge fields like technology and education that directly touch the lives of youth and entrepreneurs.
Officials underscored that discussions included detailed planning for President Macron’s forthcoming visit, which comes at a time when Europe is at the center of India’s diplomatic agenda. As per reports French officials described Bonne’s engagement with Indian leadership — including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar — as constructive and preparatory, aimed at ensuring Macron’s visit yields substantive outcomes across a range of sectors.
The two nations are also marking the India–France Year of Innovation, a theme designed to spotlight joint ventures and exchanges in research, science and technology — a signal of the evolving priorities in their bilateral relations.
India and France have maintained a Strategic Partnership since 1998 — the first such partnership for India — encompassing deep cooperation in defence, civil nuclear, space and more recently digital and emerging technologies.
. SKA .