President Emmanuel Macron Arrives in India to Boost Strategic Partnership

Mumbai, Feb 2026 : French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in India on Tuesday on a three-day official visit aimed at further deepening the long-standing strategic partnership between India and France. He was accorded a warm welcome at the Mumbai airport by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Governor of Maharashtra and Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat. The visit underscores the growing importance both nations attach to their bilateral ties, particularly in areas such as defence, technology, innovation, and global cooperation.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold extensive bilateral talks with President Macron during the visit. The two leaders are also scheduled to jointly launch the India–France Year of Innovation 2026, a major initiative expected to foster collaboration between governments, industries, startups, researchers, and academic institutions from both countries. Welcoming President Macron on social media platform X, the Ministry stated that the visit would give fresh momentum to the India–France strategic partnership.

Ahead of his departure for India, President Macron also shared a message on X, stating that he was travelling from Mumbai to New Delhi with the objective of advancing cooperation between the two nations. He noted that he was accompanied by leading figures from the trade, industry, culture, and digital sectors, highlighting the multi-dimensional nature of the India–France relationship. “Together, we will further advance our cooperation. See you tomorrow, my dear friend Narendra Modi,” Macron wrote, signalling the close personal rapport between the two leaders.

President Macron is visiting India at the invitation of the Government of India to attend the AI Impact Summit, which will be held in New Delhi on February 19. The summit is expected to bring together global policymakers, technology leaders, and innovators to deliberate on the responsible and inclusive use of artificial intelligence. Macron’s participation reflects France’s growing engagement with India in emerging technologies and digital governance.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron are scheduled to meet in Mumbai, marking Macron’s first official engagement in the city. The French President is on an official visit to India from February 17 to 19, and this marks his fourth visit to the country. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the leaders will review progress across various pillars of the India–France Strategic Partnership and exchange views on key regional and global issues, including security, climate change, and geopolitical developments.

The bilateral talks are set to take place at Lok Bhavan around 3:15 p.m. Later in the evening, at approximately 5:15 p.m., Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will jointly inaugurate the India–France Year of Innovation 2026. The event will witness the participation of prominent industrialists, startup founders, scientists, researchers, and innovators from both countries, reflecting the shared commitment to innovation-driven growth.

Overall, President Macron’s visit is seen as a significant step toward reinforcing the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and France, with a strong focus on future-oriented cooperation in innovation, technology, and global leadership.