Establishing Special Strategic Partnerships, Advancing Defense Artificial Intelligence Cooperation, Modi Visits France to Discuss "Rafale" Fighter Jet Procurement

[Global Times Special Correspondent Bai Yuan] On the 14th local time, France and India announced a cooperation roadmap aimed at promoting trade and strengthening collaboration between the two countries in the fields of defense and artificial intelligence. This roadmap was announced after Indian Prime Minister Modi's visit to France and his meeting with French President Macron. The Indian government stated that the India-France partnership is opening up new opportunities. Indian media analysis suggests that France's and Germany's cessation of joint development of fighter jets, coupled with the unprecedented access restrictions imposed by the United States on artificial intelligence companies, has made France need India, while also presenting an opportunity for India.

Macron calls for Europe to "view India differently"

After meeting with Macron in Nice, France on the 14th, Modi stated on social media that the meeting focused on defense, space, security, and other areas, and was productive. Macron posted that Modi's visit reflects the "exceptional strength" of the India-France partnership.

According to Agence France-Presse, this meeting took place on the eve of the G7 summit, where Macron, while jointly inaugurating the "India Innovation Expo" with Modi, stated: "The question is not whether India is innovating, but who will innovate with India." He cited India's successes in space and artificial intelligence, calling for France and Europe to "view India differently." Macron also added, "Given our strengths, I believe Indians should also have an interest in France."

Indian Foreign Secretary Tang Yongsheng stated at a media briefing that the agenda for the leaders' meeting included the procurement of "Rafale" fighter jets, with significant progress already made in related negotiations. Other major outcomes include the establishment of the "2030 India-France Innovation Roadmap" and the formation of a joint India-France working group focused on artificial intelligence governance.

Indian media: India has the capability to collaborate with France on fighter jet development

Indian media reported that the meeting between Modi and Macron is an important milestone in India-France defense relations. According to the Times of India, the two countries announced the establishment of a "special strategic partnership," committing to deepen cooperation, including the joint design, development, and production of advanced defense platforms, with a particular focus on next-generation technologies. "This strategic cooperation comes at a critical moment, as France recently terminated its collaboration with Germany on the 'Future Combat Air System' (FCAS) sixth-generation fighter project, creating an opportunity for India to become its natural partner."

The Times of India also analyzed that the termination of cooperation between France and Germany stems from differences in aircraft carrier combat capabilities and nuclear weapon delivery capabilities, which are core requirements for France, but Germany does not possess. "India possesses both capabilities, which aligns more closely with France's vision for a multi-role sixth-generation fighter." The report stated, "This alignment reinforces the necessity for India and France to collaborate on developing a fighter jet that meets the operational needs of both countries."

In early June, the Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, Singh, visited France and met with executives from several leading French defense companies. Indian media stated that this demonstrates the Indian Air Force's determination to seek international partners to achieve its sixth-generation fighter goals. For India, collaborating with France not only allows access to the integrated artificial intelligence, cyber tools, and manned-unmanned aerial vehicle coordination technologies needed for developing a sixth-generation fighter but also ensures joint development, thereby enhancing its domestic operational capabilities.

Meanwhile, France and India are negotiating a large procurement deal for 114 "Rafale" fighter jets, with 94 of the aircraft to be manufactured in India if the agreement is finalized.

Artificial intelligence cooperation, a stopgap measure?

Earlier this year, Macron visited India. The French newspaper Le Figaro reported that against the backdrop of the U.S.'s erratic foreign policy and China's rise, France and India are building an alliance to "exert influence" in a changing world.

Before the meeting between the leaders of India and France, the U.S. implemented a policy forcing the artificial intelligence company Anthropic to suspend access to its latest large model. Washington, citing national security risks, ordered a ban on "any foreign citizen, whether inside or outside the United States," from accessing the relevant models. This has shaken the French political scene, with several French politicians warning that artificial intelligence has become a sovereignty issue. The Indian newspaper The First Post stated that as countries increasingly worry about high-end artificial intelligence technology being highly concentrated in the U.S., France and India are working together to create what Macron calls "cooperative artificial intelligence."

Indian media noted that the current geopolitical and international situation is pushing India-France relations towards closer ties. However, the two countries may still face some obstacles in implementing cooperation. For a long time, there have been criticisms in France regarding India's "inaction" on climate issues, and France's Minister for Ecological Transition threatened in March this year to block relevant EU funding to India. Additionally, some analysts pointed out that given the concentration of high-end artificial intelligence technology in the U.S., it remains uncertain how far cooperation between France and India in artificial intelligence can progress.