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India PM | February 17, 2026: Your Essential Daily Briefing on India's Prime Minister
The India PM Newsletter for February 17, 2026 covers PM Modi announcing establishment of Special Global Strategic Partnership with France, list of outcomes from French President's visit to India, PM Modi scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with several global leaders on sidelines of India AI Impact Summit, sharing article by President of Serbia on India AI Impact Summit, highlighting qualities of intellect and AI for public good, and sharing highlights of India AI Impact Expo 2026 inauguration.
NEWS IN DETAIL
PM Modi Announces Establishment Of ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’ With France
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.
PM 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, PM 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.
Prime Minister Modi asserted that the India-France partnership knows no boundaries, as it can reach from the deep oceans to the tallest mountains. He remarked that the year 2026 is a turning point in Indo-European relations and expressed confidence that the recent Free Trade Agreement between the two entities will accelerate ties between India and France.
He informed that both countries are entering into an agreement to eliminate double taxation, which will boost bilateral trade, investment and mobility, terming this the ‘Roadmap of Shared Prosperity’.
Prime Minister Modi stated that with the launch of the India-France Year of Innovation, both countries will convert the strategic partnership into a ‘Partnership of People’, aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties and connecting industry and innovators in sectors such as defence, clean energy, space and emerging technologies. He added that both countries are working to deepen cooperation in critical minerals, biotechnology and advanced materials.
Speaking on the occasion, French President Emmanuel Macron asserted that bilateral relations between India and France are based on trust, openness and shared aspirations and stated that France wants to be India’s trusted ally. He noted that both nations share a common vision in sectors including space, aeronautics, railways, solar energy, infrastructure, creative industries and technology, and expressed the vision of working together.
He expressed confidence that India and France have much to offer the world. He welcomed the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. Adding that India is the President of BRICS this year, whereas France is the President of the G7, President Macron underlined the importance of a shared vision on various bilateral and global issues. Minister of External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and members of the Indian and French delegations were present on the occasion.
Later, both leaders also inaugurated the India-France Innovation Forum in Mumbai. Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi described the India-France Year of Innovation not merely as a celebration, but as a shared commitment to innovate and lead. He informed that France has set a target of welcoming 30,000 students by the year 2030.
PM Modi stated that when India’s speed and skills combine with France’s strengths, new pathways will be created for the world.
Terming 2026 a special year for India-France relations, Prime Minister Modi invited leaders, CEOs and investors to invest in India and help create a future where technology serves humanity and progress is inclusive.
Addressing the gathering, President Macron emphasised that the two nations are no longer just trading goods but also trading ideas. He announced new incentives for Indian tech talent and start-ups to collaborate with their French counterparts, particularly in green technology and space. Business leaders, start-ups, researchers and other innovators from both countries were present on the occasion.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi and French President Macron held bilateral and delegation-level talks at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai. The two leaders discussed strategic cooperation between India and France across key sectors, including defence, security, trade and cultural exchange.
The French President paid tribute to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack at the historic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai, reaffirming solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism. In a message on social media platform, President Macron said France stands with India in the face of terrorism, unity and determination, extending support to the families and loved ones of the victims. President Macron also interacted with prominent personalities from Indian cinema, highlighting the cultural ties between the two nations.
French President Emmanuel Macron is on a three-day official visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in the AI Impact Summit.
List of Outcomes: Visit of French President To India
Upgrading of the India-France relationship to “Special Global Strategic Partnership”
Establishment of annual Foreign Ministers Dialogue for regularly reviewing implementation of the elevated partnership and Horizon 2047 Roadmap
Launch of the India-France Year of Innovation
Launch of the India-France Innovation Network
Inauguration of H125 Helicopter Final Assembly Line at Vemagal, Karnataka
Renewal of the Agreement between Government of India and French Republic on Defence Cooperation
Joint Venture between BEL and Safran to produce HAMMER missiles in India
Reciprocal deployment of officers at Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments
Constitution of a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group
Joint Declaration of Intent for Cooperation in Critical Minerals and Metals
Letter of Intent to establish a Centre on Advanced Materials between DST and CNRS
Amending Protocol on the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement between India and France
Letter of Intent between T-Hub and Nord France on strategic cooperation in start-up ecosystems, innovation and technology
Memorandum of Understanding for Scientific collaboration between DST and CNRS
Joint Declaration of Intent on establishing an Indo-French Centre for Digital Sciences and Technology
Launch of the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health at AIIMS, New Delhi
Letter of Intent between DBT and ANRS on Cooperation in Research and Development on Infectious Diseases and Global Health Research
Agreement for the establishment of Indo-French Centre for Metabolic Health Sciences
Letter of Intent to establish a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics
Renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the Ministry for the Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty on Renewable Energy Cooperation
Letter of Intent between the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications and La Poste, France
PM Modi To Hold Bilateral Meetings With Several Global Leaders On Sidelines Of India AI Impact Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold meetings with several global leaders on Wednesday, who are in New Delhi for the India AI Impact Summit.
PM Modi is scheduled to meet the President of Spain, Pedro Sanchez; Prime Minister of Finland, Antti Petteri Orpo; President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic; Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic; President of Estonia, Alar Karis; Prime Minister of Bhutan, Dasho Tshering Tobgay; and Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Bektenov.
PM Modi Shares Article By President Of Serbia On India AI Impact Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared an article by the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, highlighting how the India AI Impact Summit places India firmly at the centre of the global discourse on artificial intelligence.
In a social media post, Prime Minister Modi welcomed the recognition accorded to India’s leadership in artificial intelligence, as expressed by the President of Serbia.
In his message, the Serbian President emphasised that the India AI Impact Summit is more than a conference. He added that it is a defining moment that firmly positions India at the centre of the global dialogue on artificial intelligence.
Prime Minister Highlights Qualities Of Intellect And AI For Public Good
Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the importance of intelligence, reasoning, and decision-making in making science and technology truly useful for society.
Underlining the India AI Impact Summit, the Prime Minister emphasized that the core objective of the Summit is to explore how Artificial Intelligence can be harnessed for the welfare of all citizens.
Quoting from ancient wisdom on X, the Prime Minister reflected on the timeless qualities of intellect:
“बुद्धिमत्ता, तर्कशीलता और निर्णय-क्षमता विज्ञान और टेक्नोलॉजी को जन-जन के लिए उपयोगी बनाती हैं। India AI Impact Summit का उद्देश्य भी यही है कि कैसे एआई का इस्तेमाल सर्वजन के हित में हो।
शुश्रूषा श्रवणं चैव ग्रहणं धारणां तथा।
ऊहापोहोऽर्थविज्ञानं तत्त्वज्ञानं च धीगुणाः॥”
PM Modi Shares Highlights of India AI Impact Expo 2026 Inauguration
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the India AI Impact Expo 2026 as a powerful convergence of ideas, innovation, and intent.
Sharing highlights of inauguration on X, PM Modi said the Expo highlighted the extraordinary potential of Indian talent in shaping the future of Artificial Intelligence for global good.
Above all, the event reaffirmed India’s commitment to harnessing AI responsibly, inclusively, and at scale for human progress, he added.