PM Modi calls France ‘special partner’, launches H-125 helicopter assembly line with Macron

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described France as a “special partner” as he and French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the H-125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly Line in India. The launch marks a significant milestone in defence and aerospace cooperation between the two nations and coincides with the elevation of bilateral ties to a ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’.

The H-125 helicopter assembly line, set up by Tata Airbus at Vemagal in Karnataka, was virtually inaugurated by the two leaders. Speaking at a joint press conference in Mumbai, Modi said the helicopter, to be manufactured in India, is capable of flying at the heights of Mount Everest. He underlined that the partnership combines French technological expertise with India’s manufacturing scale.

Modi said the India–France friendship “knows no boundaries” and can extend “from deep oceans to the tallest mountains,” describing it as a force for global stability in a turbulent world. He added that the two countries have agreed to deepen cooperation across critical sectors including defence, advanced materials, biotechnology and critical minerals.

Announcing new collaborative initiatives, Modi said both sides will establish the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health, the Indo-French Centre for Digital Science and Technology, and a National Centre of Alliance for Skilling in Aeronautics. These initiatives aim to expand cooperation in emerging technologies and workforce development.

Macron termed the India–France relationship unique and built on trust, openness and shared ambition. He highlighted sustained collaboration over the past eight years in areas such as the Indo-Pacific, artificial intelligence and clean energy, expressing confidence that the upgraded strategic partnership will further strengthen bilateral ties.