India and France review science and space cooperation in the Indo-French Year of Innovation
On 7 May 2026 Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh held a video meeting with France's Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space Philippe Baptiste, who proposed closer cooperation in human spaceflight, as both sides noted 2026 is the Indo-French Year of Innovation.
Summary
Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, held a bilateral meeting by video conference on 7 May 2026 with Prof. Philippe Baptiste, France's Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space, to review India–France cooperation in science, technology and space. The Minister said the declaration of 2026 as the Indo-French Year of Innovation is a chance to scale up collaboration in emerging areas such as AI, applied mathematics and advanced materials, and Baptiste proposed enhanced collaboration in human spaceflight with India.
Key facts
- Meeting
- Video conference, 7 May 2026
- Ministers
- Dr Jitendra Singh; Prof. Philippe Baptiste (France: Higher Education, Research and Space)
- Year
- 2026 — Indo-French Year of Innovation
- Areas
- AI, applied mathematics, advanced materials; proposal on human spaceflight
Practice MCQs 1 questions
The year 2026 has been declared as the Indo-French Year of what, as noted during the India–France ministerial meeting of May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Innovation
2026 has been declared the Indo-French Year of Innovation, offering an opportunity to scale up collaboration in emerging areas.