Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of a ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’ with France. Delivering a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron at Mumbai’s Lok Bhavan, he asserted that this partnership is not only strategic but also one for global stability and prosperity amidst today’s unstable global situation. Mr Modi stated that relations between India and France are very special, with France being one of India’s oldest strategic partners.

Both leaders virtually inaugurated the H-125 helicopter final assembly line at Vemagal in Karnataka, set up by Tata Advanced Systems in partnership with Airbus. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and France’s Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Catherine Vautrin, were present at the site. Hailing this facility as a symbol of deep ties between the two countries, Mr Modi expressed confidence that these helicopters, manufactured in India in collaboration with France, will be the first aircraft to fly as high as Mt Everest and will be exported worldwide.