Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday virtually inaugurated the H-125 Light Utility Helicopter final assembly of Tata-Airbus in Karnataka.
The inauguration took place ahead of the joint statement.
Modi also announced that India and France have decided to upgrade their relationship to a special global strategic partnership.
"I am delighted to welcome my dear friend, President Macron, to Mumbai. Last year, he invited me to the AI Action Committee Summit in France. This time, when President Macron is in India for the AI Impact Summit, we are fortunate to welcome him in Mumbai, the gateway to India," said Modi, welcoming Macron.
The Prime Minister stated that the relationship between India and France is very special.
"France is one of India's oldest strategic partners. Together with President Macron, we have given this strategic partnership unprecedented depth and momentum. On the basis of this trust and shared vision, today we are establishing our relationship as a Special Global Strategic Partnership."
VIDEO | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) and French President Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) digitally unveil the final assembly line of H-125 helicopters.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 17, 2026
(Source: Third Party)
(Full video available on https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/dyiEfMJJAL
Modi also said that the year 2026 is a turning point in India–Europe ties. "Just a few days ago, we signed the most ambitious FTA in India's history with the European Union. This partnership between the two sides will prove to be a force for global stability amid global uncertainty."
Macron said that the bilateral relationship is truly exceptional and unique. "Throughout today's discussions, we have reaffirmed that our partnership is based on trust, openness and ambition. We have decided to elevate it to a Special Strategic Partnership and give it a new status."
Earlier in the day, Modi held wide-ranging talks with French President Emmanuel Macron to boost ties in key sectors such as trade, defence, energy and critical technologies.
Macron landed in Mumbai early on Tuesday morning on a three-day visit to attend the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi and meet PM Modi.
After the talks with Modi, Macron will attend a ceremony to launch the India-France Year of Innovation.
Macron's visit comes days after India cleared a long-pending proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets under a government-to-government framework with France.
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