NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India and France would jointly manufacture the world’s first helicopter that would fly to the heights of Mount Everest.During the joint press briefing alongside French president Emmanuel Macron, PM Modi said the partnership between New Delhi and Paris “knows no boundaries” and that it “can reach from deep oceans to the tallest mountains”. PM Modi and French president Macron virtually inaugurated assembly line for production of Airbus H125 helicopters at Vemagal in Karnataka.“In India, the initiation of his helicopter assembly is another bright example of this relationship. We are proud that India and France will build a helicopter which will be able to take flight to Mount Everest. We will also export this. The India-France partnership knows no boundaries. It can reach from deep oceans to the tallest mountains,” PM Modi said in Mumbai.Before the media briefing in the coastal city, PM Modi held comprehensive talks with Macron, with both leaders focusing on strengthening cooperation in trade, defence, energy and critical technologies.Top quotes from PM Modi:
- “I am delighted to welcome my dear friend, president Macron, to Mumbai. Last year, he invited me to the AI Action Committee Summit in France. At that time, we visited Marseille, France’s largest port and a major gateway to France and all of Europe.”
- “Marseille is the city from where our Indian soldiers set foot in Europe during World War I. Their saga of bravery is still remembered in many parts of Europe, and it is the same city where freedom fighter Veer Savarkar jumped into the sea to escape the British. His action symbolised his unwavering resolve for India’s independence.”
- “I had the opportunity to remember and pay my respects to him in Marseille last year. This time, when president Macron is in India for the AI Impact Summit, we are fortunate to welcome him in Mumbai, the Gateway to India.”
- “The strategic partnership between the two countries is one of the oldest and with the help of president Macron, we have deepened the ties and given it more energy in recent times.”
- “Based on this trust and vision, we are elevating our relation to a Special Global Strategic Partnership. This partnership is not just strategic. In this era of unpredictable global dynamics, this partnership will provide global stability and progress.”
- “The year 2026 marks a significant turning point in relations between India and Europe. Just a few days ago, India signed the largest and most ambitious Free Trade Agreement in its history with the European Union. This landmark agreement is set to create unprecedented momentum not only in India-Europe relations but also in ties between India and France.”
- “To further encourage mutual investment, we are signing agreements to eliminate double taxation, ensuring that our citizens and companies are not taxed twice. These initiatives will boost bilateral trade, investment, and the movement of people. Together, they form the roadmap for our shared prosperity.
Macron praised the “remarkable acceleration” of ties with India during a press briefing with PM Modi in Mumbai.The French president said the shift came in response to the “changing international order”, adding that both countries did not want to “be subjected to any form of hegemony” or the “conflict of a few”.H125 Light Utility Helicopter’s significance The H125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly Line at Vemagal is expected to strengthen India’s indigenous aerospace manufacturing capabilities and further deepen India-France defence and industrial cooperation.The facility is designed to produce H125 helicopters for civil and parapublic operations, including emergency medical services, law enforcement, and passenger transport.The delivery of the first ‘Made in India’ H125 is expected in early 2027. The helicopter will also be available for export in the South Asian region.Emmanuel Macron on 3-day visitMacron arrived in Mumbai earlier in the day on a three-day visit, during which he is scheduled to attend the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi and meet Modi.The visit comes shortly after India cleared a long-pending proposal to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets from France under a government-to-government framework, a deal described as one of the world’s largest military procurement programmes in recent years.Sources told news agency PTI that deepening defence collaboration and expanding engagement in critical and emerging technologies are among the top priorities guiding the next phase of bilateral ties.
