French President Macron meets Modi: India-France ties deepen as collaboration expands

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Mumbai on February 17 for a three-day state visit that reinforced the Special Global Strategic Partnership between India and France, showcasing a blend of strategic, industrial, technological, and people-centric cooperation. He began his day with a morning walk along Marine Drive , observing the iconic coastline and engaging informally with the city’s spirit before official engagements began. Macron was formally welcomed by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis , setting the stage for substantive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi .

Soon after his arrival, Macron paid homage to the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, laying a wreath and observing a moment of silence.

During their bilateral talks, Modi and Macron discussed expanding collaboration across defence, trade, energy, technology, artificial intelligence, innovation, and education . Modi told reporters that “the friendship between India and France has no boundaries, stretching from deep oceans to the tallest mountains,” highlighting the long-standing trust and comprehensive nature of the relationship.

A highlight of the visit was India’s in-principle approval to procure up to 114 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation , with a large portion planned for local manufacture under the “Make in India” initiative, supported by an engine assembly line by French aerospace firm Safran .

In another milestone, Macron and Modi virtually inaugurated the H‑125 helicopter final assembly line in Karnataka , a joint project between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus. Modi described the initiative as a reflection of “deep trust” between the two nations, noting that the facility will enhance India’s aerospace capabilities and produce helicopters capable of operating in extreme environments, including Mount Everest .

The leaders launched the India‑France Year of Innovation 2026 , announced new AI and skilling centers, and France pledged to welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030 , alongside signing over 20 agreements and MoUs across defence, trade, technology, energy, AI, and innovation. Following Mumbai, Macron is set to travel to New Delhi to participate in the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South.