Emmanuel Macron Congratulates India on 80th Independence Day

French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated the people of India on August 15, 2026, to mark the nation's 80th Independence Day. In a message posted on X, Macron emphasized the evolving nature of the bilateral relationship and the need for continued cooperation in research and decarbonized energy.

The diplomatic exchange follows the establishment of a Special Global Strategic Partnership in February 2026, which prioritizes defense, space, deep-tech, and clean energy. Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi designated 2026 as the India-France Year of Innovation, a theme reinforced by the joint inauguration of Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice, France.

Complementing the presidential message, the French Embassy in New Delhi issued a tribute regarding the experiences of French diplomats in India. Current collaborations between the two nations include the exploration of nuclear energy through Small Modular Reactors to achieve power decarbonization.