France and India deepen strategic ties on first day of Macron's official visit

MUMBAI (AFP) - French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened three days of talks in Mumbai on Tuesday by reaffirming their countries’ “very special” relationship, as a new Franco-Indian helicopter assembly line was inaugurated and negotiations continue over a major fighter jet deal.

French President Emmanuel Macron began his three-day state visit in Mumbai by honouring the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and meeting Bollywood stars, before kicking off talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“In today’s turbulent world, this is a partnership for global stability,” Prime Minister Modi said after their meeting, with both heads of state referring to each other as their "dear friend" in statements on social media.

President Macron praised what he called a “remarkable acceleration” in bilateral ties in response to the “changing international order”, adding that both countries did not want to be subjected to “any form of hegemony”.

This is Macron’s fourth trip to India since taking office in 2017. He is accompanied by his wife Brigitte Macron.

'CONTRACT OF THE CENTURY'

Defence remains at the heart of the relationship. Indian authorities recently cleared the proposed purchase of 114 additional Rafale fighter jets from French manufacturer Dassault Aviation in a deal estimated at around €30 billion.

Christophe Jaffrelot, an India specialist at Sciences Po Center for International Studies in Paris, has described the potential deal as the “contract of the century”.

However, negotiations over technical and commercial “details” are ongoing, particularly surrounding domestic production.

An Indian defence ministry statement indicated that the “majority” of the aircraft would be manufactured in India. If finalised, the agreement would add to the 62 Rafales already acquired by India.

India, the world’s largest arms importer, also announced a 15 percent increase in military spending to €71 billion earlier this month, reinforcing its position as a key market for French defence firms.

The two leaders also inaugurated, via videoconference, a helicopter assembly line in Vemagal, in the southern state of Karnataka near tech hub of Bengaluru. The joint venture between India’s Tata Group and Airbus will manufacture the Airbus H125, the company’s best-selling single-engine helicopter.

Among sensitive geopolitical issues discussed was Ukraine. India has not condemned Russia’s 2022 invasion and has continued buying oil from Moscow. Macron urged Indian support for “an immediate and lasting moratorium on attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure”, as Russian and Ukrainian negotiators opened US-brokered talks in Geneva on Tuesday

President Macron will be in New Delhi on Wednesday and Thursday for an artificial intelligence summit hosted by PM Modi.