India and France Strengthen Cooperation with Horizon 2047 Roadmap
French President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit India from late Monday night for four days. This trip aims to enhance defence collaboration and strengthen the Indo-Pacific partnership. Moreover, it will catalyze a new focus on innovation as outlined in the Horizon 2047 Roadmap.
Horizon 2047 Roadmap: A Framework for the Future
The Horizon 2047 Roadmap, adopted in 2023, serves as a comprehensive framework for expanding cooperation between India and France. This initiative spans various sectors including:
- Fighter jet production
- Nuclear energy
- Critical minerals
- High-tech manufacturing
During Macron’s visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Macron will engage in discussions to advance this roadmap further. A memorandum of understanding on critical minerals may be signed to combat China’s dominance in the supply chains.
Defence Partnership: A Cornerstone of Collaboration
The defence sector is the backbone of the strategic partnership between India and France. Recent government approvals indicate India’s intent to procure additional Rafale jets, part of a 3.6 trillion rupee defence acquisition package. The plans include:
- 31 Rafale Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy
- 114 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF)
- 26 Rafale-M aircraft for the navy under a previous deal worth Rs 64,000 crore
Currently, the Indian Air Force operates 36 Rafale jets purchased in 2016.
Focus on Innovation and Technology
Macron will also participate in the India-France Innovation Forum in Mumbai, which gathers business leaders, researchers, and innovators. This forum underscores the focus on technology and innovation collaboration between the two nations.
Following this, the AI Impact Summit in Delhi will address critical issues surrounding artificial intelligence. Discussions will focus on:
- Joint research efforts
- Common standards for trustworthy AI
- Strengthening ties between Indian and French tech companies
During the last AI Action Summit in Paris, Modi emphasized the importance of democratizing technology to develop people-centric applications while tackling concerns related to cyber threats and misinformation.
This marks Macron’s fourth visit to India, reaffirming the importance of the bilateral relationship under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap.
