Emmanuel Macron Calls Rafale ‘Absolutely Key’ to India-France Strategic Ties

Emmanuel Macron on Thursday underscored the need to deepen defence cooperation with India, signalling a major expansion of the Rafale fighter jet partnership with a strong focus on co-production and the Make in India initiative.

'Made in India' Rafale at the Core

Speaking on the sidelines of the India AI Summit, Macron described India and France as sharing a "special global strategic partnership" that goes beyond conventional defence ties. He confirmed that India has conveyed its willingness to place a fresh order for Dassault Rafale aircraft and expand industrial collaboration around the platform.

"On Rafale, what we want to do is to expand. India confirmed a few days ago its willingness to command a new bunch of Rafale 114 and to co-produce. Make in India will be core in this new command," Macron said, calling it a "new step forward" in bilateral defence ties.

He emphasised that the next phase of the programme would not just focus on aircraft delivery but also on strengthening maintenance, sustainment and diversified industrial capacities within India. "Rafale is absolutely key," he said.

Expanding Defence and Aerospace Ties

Macron suggested that similar models of collaboration could be explored in other defence sectors, including submarines and aerospace partnerships, pointing to a broader push for long-term industrial and strategic cooperation between the two nations.

Under the proposed arrangements, France aims to maximise indigenous content in India. Macron stressed that increasing Indian manufacturing and components is central to the dialogue between the French defence industry and the Indian government.

"It makes your country stronger. It increases the strategic connection between us, and it creates more jobs here," he said, reiterating France's commitment to local manufacturing of critical systems under the Rafale programme.

G7 Invite for PM Modi

The French President also announced that Narendra Modi will visit France in July for a state visit and attend the G7 summit as a special guest in his capacity as President of BRICS.

"As for the bilateral relationship, I really believe it's at the highest point. This is why I invited Prime Minister Modi for the state visit to France. He will come, and he will be the special guest of our G7 as the President of the BRICS," Macron said, adding that he plans to visit India next year to further strengthen ties.