India, France elevate defence ties in push for strategic autonomy
South China Morning Post
by Biman MukherjiFebruary 18, 2026
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron have upgraded their countries’ defence ties, a move analysts say signals New Delhi’s drive to curb dependence on foreign arms imports while cementing a closer security relationship with Paris in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific.
The two leaders renewed a 10-year defence cooperation agreement and elevated ties to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership” on Tuesday, unveiling more than 20 areas of expanded cooperation...
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Originally published on South China Morning Post on 2/18/2026