Macron arrives in Mumbai on India visit, AI and defence boost on agenda

UPDATED: Feb 17, 2026 01:16 IST

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Mumbai on Monday night along with First Lady Brigitte Macron on a three-day official visit to India, during which artificial intelligence and strategic cooperation are expected to feature prominently in talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A key focus is expected to be a renewed push for bilateral defence cooperation, including joint manufacturing of helicopters and HAMMER precision-guided missiles.

Macron’s visit, scheduled from February 17 to 19, is at the invitation of Modi and includes participation in the AI Impact Summit as well as a bilateral summit in Mumbai. This is Macron’s fourth visit to India and his first to Mumbai.

An official statement said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Mumbai on February 17 to meet President Macron. The two leaders are expected to review progress under the India-France strategic partnership and outline the next phase of cooperation.

The meeting at Lok Bhawan on Tuesday afternoon will focus on assessing milestones achieved under the bilateral framework and exploring avenues to further strengthen ties. Discussions are likely to expand cooperation into new and emerging areas, particularly artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, news agency PTI reported.

The leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and global issues, including the Indo-Pacific, underscoring growing strategic convergence between New Delhi and Paris.

India and France share a broad-based partnership spanning defence, space, civil nuclear energy, climate action and education. Bilateral ties have deepened since Macron’s first visit to India in 2018. He later attended the 2023 G20 Summit and was Chief Guest at the 75th Republic Day celebrations in 2024.

MUMBAI TO HOST INDIA–FRANCE INNOVATION LAUNCH

A key highlight of the Mumbai leg will be the joint inauguration of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, an initiative announced during Macron’s 2024 State Visit to promote collaboration among start-ups, researchers and industry leaders from both countries.

Following their bilateral meeting, the two leaders will witness the exchange of Memorandums of Understanding at Raj Bhawan. They are also scheduled to attend the India-France Innovation Forum at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and a cultural commemoration event at the Gateway of India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Macron may announce a major deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets under the Make in India initiative, as New Delhi accelerates military modernisation. The leaders will also discuss expanding defence industrial collaboration through technology transfer and joint production.

Macron will travel to New Delhi on February 18 to attend the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam. The summit, being held from February 16 to 20, is described as the first global AI gathering hosted in the Global South.

On February 19, the French President will participate in the opening ceremony, leaders’ plenary and working lunch alongside other heads of state and government before departing for Paris later that afternoon.

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With inputs from agencies