France and India are celebrating a deepening relationship aimed at enhancing global stability, evident in the official visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India which focuses on expanding cooperation across various sectors including defense, technology, trade, and energy. At the heart of this visit is a significant defense agreement, described by Christophe Gavier, a specialist in Indian affairs, as the 'Century Deal', which is valued at approximately $35 billion and involves India's purchase of 114 Rafale fighter jets.

Officials accompanying President Macron expressed confidence in finalizing this historic agreement, which comes on the heels of New Delhi's recent confirmation of its intention to place a substantial order, with the condition of manufacturing 'most of it' domestically in India. If successful, this deal will add 114 new Rafale jets to the 62 already bought by India, reflecting the country's strategic initiative to reduce its dependency on its traditional supplier, Russia, while increasing local military production.

Additionally, the leaders inaugurated a space and aviation cooperation project through a video link, further strengthening their bilateral relationship. This growing partnership not only represents a significant milestone in India’s defense capabilities but also underscores a pivotal shift in international defense relationships, highlighting India's move towards becoming a self-reliant defense producer while fostering collaboration with Western powers like France.