| | FEBRUARY 202619extraction, processing, and recycling technologies to create diversified and resilient supply chains.Creativity, Artificial Intelligence, and TechnologyThe two heads of state inaugurated the 2026 India-France Year of Innovation, aiming to foster partnerships in fields such as science and technology, cyberspace, artificial intelligence, healthcare, sustainable development, and research. They also established the India-France Innovation Network to link startups, incubators, businesses, and academic institutions from both nations. A Letter of Intent was signed between T-Hub and Nord France Invest to enhance cooperation within the startup ecosystem.Following previous collaborations in AI, both parties have reiterated their dedication to ensuring artificial intelligence is secure and reliable, benefiting the public and addressing the global AI gap. A key development was the establishment of the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health at AIIMS, New Delhi, in partnership with Sorbonne University and the Paris Brain Institute.Economic and Tax ReformsIn a pivotal action to enhance business opportunities, the two nations decided to modify the protocol related to the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), aimed at offering clearer assurance for investors and promoting bilateral commerce. Both leaders expressed their satisfaction with the ongoing increase in trade and investment and pledged to bolster cooperation in MSMEs, digitalization, AI-driven businesses, and resilient supply chains. France, as the first European nation to implement India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI), agreed to broaden the acceptance of digital payment systems to facilitate transactions for Indian travelers.Climate, Nuclear and Energy CooperationThe leaders reiterated their dedication to the Paris Agreement and sustainable development. They concurred on enhancing collaboration in renewable energy and civil nuclear energy, which includes talks on the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant project and partnerships on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). They also expressed support for joint initiatives under the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, both based in New Delhi.Addressing Global IssuesIndia and France reaffirmed their dedication to maintaining a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. They committed to deeper collaboration through initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and trilateral partnerships with Australia and the UAE. Regarding global conflicts, both leaders voiced their concerns about the ongoing war in Ukraine and advocated for achieving a fair and lasting peace via dialogue and diplomacy. They also reiterated their support for a two-state resolution in West Asia and denounced terrorism in all its forms, with France expressing solidarity in light of recent terror incidents in India.Growing Connections Between IndividualsThe two leaders highlighted the significance of partnerships in culture, education, and mobility. France's goal is to welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030, an increase from the current 10,000. They expressed their support for new academic collaborations, initiatives for skill development, and a National Centre of Excellence in Aeronautics to be established in Kanpur. Cultural collaborations will be enhanced through future exhibitions, museum partnerships, and the commemoration of 30 years of strategic cooperation in 2028. President Macron extended an invitation to PM Modi for the G7 Summit that France will host in 2026 and suggested his involvement in preparatory discussions regarding global economic disparities and international collaborations.The formation of the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership signifies a fresh phase in their bilateral relations, with both countries aiming to play pivotal roles in influencing global governance, driving technological advancements, and promoting sustainable development in the coming decades.
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