India and France are taking their partnership to the next level — with a bold goal of welcoming 30,000 Indian students to France by 2030, up from around 10,000 today.
The announcement came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron upgraded ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership during Macron’s official visit to India from February 17–19, 2026.
But this visit was not just about diplomacy.
It focused on education, innovation, defence, and future-ready technologies.
Big Push for Education and Innovation
One of the biggest highlights was the renewed commitment to increase the number of Indian students in France.
Both leaders praised the International Classes initiative, which helps Indian students prepare for French universities.
A new education hub in Mumbai, bringing together ESSEC Business School and CentraleSupélec, was also welcomed.
The two countries are also updating their agreement on mutual recognition of academic qualifications, making it easier for students to study across borders.
Another important announcement was a visa-free airport transit facility for Indian nationals passing through French airports.
This will start as a six-month pilot project.
The leaders also launched the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, which will focus on science, AI, healthcare, sustainable development, and culture.
A major development includes a new digital sciences centre between INRIA and India’s Department of Science and Technology.
Plans are also underway for an AI healthcare research centre involving Sorbonne University, AIIMS New Delhi, and the Paris Brain Institute.
Defence and Technology Get Stronger
France remains one of India’s key defence partners.
Both countries agreed to deepen cooperation in air, naval, and land systems, as well as in advanced defence technologies.
They praised the agreement between France’s DGA and India’s DRDO for joint defence research.
Ongoing discussions on helicopter and jet engine cooperation were also highlighted.
A major milestone was the inauguration of the H125 Final Assembly Line, India’s first private-sector helicopter manufacturing facility.
This project is a partnership between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus, supporting the Make in India initiative.
Global Diplomacy and Economic Growth
President Macron invited PM Modi to attend the 2026 G7 Summit in France.
Both leaders also discussed global issues, including economic stability and ongoing conflicts.
On the economic front, trade and investment ties are steadily growing.
The India-France CEO Forum during the visit focused on MSMEs, startups, AI, and innovation-led businesses.
Digital payments were another highlight.
France has become the first European country to accept UPI, with several major stores in Paris already allowing Indian tourists to pay using it.
Why This Partnership Matters
From education and AI to defence and digital payments, India and France are building a future-focused partnership.
The goal of 30,000 Indian students in France is more than just a number.
It signals deeper people-to-people ties, stronger innovation networks, and a shared vision for global leadership in technology and economic growth.
As both countries invest in collaboration, this relationship is clearly moving beyond traditional diplomacy into a new era of opportunity.
