India, France announce Joint Declaration of Intent for cooperation in critical minerals | India News

MUMBAI: India’s Ambassador to France Sanjeev Kumar Singla said that India and France have announced a joint statement of intent for cooperation in critical minerals. Speaking to media persons on Tuesday, the Indian Ambassador announced a letter of intent between the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology and the French CNRS institution to establish a center on advanced materials.

Sanjeev Kumar Singla said, “On critical and emerging technology, we have decided to form a joint advanced technology development group and also create a joint statement of intent for cooperation in critical minerals. There is also a letter of intent between our Ministry of Science and Technology and the French institution called CNRS, one of the largest scientific institutions in the world, focusing especially on basic research, to establish a center on advanced materials. We have also signed an amendment to the double tax avoidance agreement between the two countries.” he said.

Extensive talks were held with President Macron in Mumbai. Today’s meeting is important because we have upgraded the India-France relationship to a Special Global Strategic Partnership. Ours is a partnership for global stability and progress. We discussed cooperation… pic.twitter.com/Ux7P4bG8Be—Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 17, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to deepen cooperation in exploration, extraction, processing and recycling technologies of critical minerals and rare earths to create diversified, sustainable, responsible and resilient supply chains, according to a joint statement issued by India and France. Leaders recognized the key role of critical minerals in supporting the green and digital economy, emerging technologies and advanced manufacturing.

In the joint statement shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was stated that both sides welcomed the Joint Declaration of Intent between France and India regarding cooperation in the field of critical minerals.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi and Emmanuel Macron held bilateral talks in Mumbai on cooperation in industry, defence, clean energy, space and emerging technologies sectors. Prime Minister Modi said ties between the two countries are for “global stability and progress”.

The French President and Prime Minister Modi jointly inaugurated the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 at the Gateway of India in Mumbai. Macron is currently on his fourth visit to India. With the Mumbai leg of the bilateral talks coming to an end, Macron will now head to New Delhi to attend the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit at the Bharat Mandapam.