Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
With a resounding “Jai Ho” (be victorious), French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday underscored the strength and ambition of the Indo-French strategic partnership while addressing the India–France Innovation Forum in Mumbai.
Hailing India’s technological rise and global leadership, Macron declared that the debate was no longer about whether India innovates, but about who chooses to innovate alongside it — asserting that France stands firmly by India as a committed partner.
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“The question is no longer whether India innovates. The question is, who will innovate with India? And France is the unique clear answer. We are here, we want to be here with you, and we are not leaving. Jai Ho! As we say in a famous movie. So long live the Indo-French relationship. Thank you very much,” Macron said, amid a thunderous applause from the audience.
Highlighting India’s global technological footprint, Macron pointed to the leadership of Indian-origin executives across major global corporations.
“The CEO of Alphabet is Indian. The CEO of Microsoft is Indian. The CEO of IBM is Indian. The CEO of Adobe is Indian. The CEO of Palo Alto Networks is Indian. The CEO of Chanel is from Kolhapur, right here in this state. India does not just participate in global innovation; India leads it,” he said, praising India’s talent and entrepreneurial strength.
Macron emphasised that defence cooperation remains a cornerstone of the partnership, describing France as a reliable ally in India’s self-reliance efforts.
“In the field of defence, France is a steadfast partner of Make in India. Our high-level cooperation allows us to develop next-generation engines, multirole helicopters, advanced combat aircraft, submarines, etc. And I want to thank you warmly for the extraordinary confidence you’ve placed in this partnership. And this is not just a defence contract, a series of defence contracts,” he said.
Macron said India and France are defining what a truly sovereign partnership looks like — with two major nations deliberately choosing to stand together across land, sea and air, driven by shared conviction rather than convenience.
He added that the bilateral collaboration extends strongly into the space sector, noting that the “TRISHNA satellite reflects what is possible when top-tier scientific research and industrial capability come together”.
The French President also noted expanding collaboration in civilian nuclear energy and innovation aimed at improving daily life.
“We have a lot of civilian and nuclear initiatives here in the country. Our partnership is also guided by a shared conviction that innovation is not just about major technological breakthroughs, but also about the common good, about improving everyday life, about making it healthier and safer,” Macron added.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a car ride with Macron after their bilateral talks at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai, highlighting their personal rapport.
“After the talks and press statements at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai, President Macron and I are on the way to the other programmes, which include the India-France Innovation Forum,” PM Modi wrote on X, sharing a photo of both the leaders engaged in an intense discussion.
The visit marks Macron’s fourth trip to India, with both leaders elevating ties to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership”.
Together, they projected the India–France alliance as a stabilising force in an increasingly uncertain global order.
– Ends
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
