French President Emmanuel Macron is currently visiting Mumbai as part of a three-day trip to India, which began on February 16 and will end on February 19. This marks Macron’s first visit to Mumbai and his fourth overall trip to India. During this visit, he will engage in discussions on several critical topics, including the Rafale deal, artificial intelligence (AI), and trade.
Key Meetings and Events
Upon his arrival, President Macron was welcomed at the airport by notable Indian officials, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Governor Acharya Devvrat. He expressed his enthusiasm for the visit on social media, highlighting the significance of strengthening the strategic partnership between France and India.
Agenda of Discussions
One of the pivotal meetings during this visit will take place Tuesday afternoon. President Macron is scheduled to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Lok Bhavan to review collaboration across various sectors:
- Defence
- Space
- Nuclear Energy
- Climate Change
- Education
- Emerging Technologies
The leaders are anticipated to finalize nearly a dozen agreements focused on defence, trade, skilling, health, and supply chains. They will also inaugurate the “India-France Year of Innovation 2026,” an initiative aimed at fostering bilateral innovation. This initiative was initially discussed during earlier meetings between Macron and Modi.
Defence and AI Cooperation
Significant discussions are expected regarding defence cooperation. Notably, the agenda includes negotiations related to India’s plan to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets from France. This procurement is anticipated to be conducted under a government-to-government framework. Additionally, the leaders will review the India-France Roadmap on AI, initially launched during Modi’s previous visit to France.
Future Engagements
Following the meetings in Mumbai, Macron will head to New Delhi. There, he will participate in the AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, scheduled from February 16 to February 20. This summit aims to address significant topics related to AI under the themes of People, Planet, and Progress, continuing the momentum from the AI Action Summit co-chaired by both leaders in February 2025.
This visit underscores the ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation in emerging technologies and strengthen the India-France strategic partnership across various domains.
