French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Mumbai on Monday night for a three-day official visit to India, accompanied by First Lady Brigitte Macron, marking a significant push to deepen the strategic partnership between the two nations.
The visiting leader was received at the airport by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron hold bilateral talks in Mumbai, focusing on AI cooperation, defence collaboration and emerging technologies.
Talks with Narendra Modi focus on AI, defence, strategic cooperation
Macron held wide-ranging bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Lok Bhavan, with discussions spanning artificial intelligence, defence collaboration, trade, critical technologies and global security challenges.
A major outcome of the meeting was a renewed emphasis on joint defence manufacturing, including cooperation on helicopter production and precision-guided missile systems, underscoring efforts to expand co-development and co-production under the strategic partnership framework.
2026 to be celebrated as India-France year of innovation
The two leaders jointly inaugurated the India-France Innovation Forum and announced that 2026 will be celebrated as the India–France Year of Innovation, aimed at strengthening collaboration among startups, researchers, industries and academic institutions.
Both sides also agreed to establish new joint platforms, including: An Indo-French Centre for AI in health, an Indo-French centre for digital science and technology, a national alliance for skilling in aeronautics
Modi described these initiatives as “future-building platforms” designed to combine France’s technological expertise with India’s scale and talent base.
Strategic partnership elevated
Calling France one of India’s “oldest and most trusted partners,” Modi announced the elevation of ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership, signalling a shift from steady cooperation to what he termed a “transformative partnership.”
Macron stressed the need to expand trade and collaboration beyond defence into areas such as space, innovation and advanced materials.
Major industrial, aviation announcements
The leaders virtually inaugurated a helicopter final assembly line in Karnataka — India’s first such facility — set up through a Tata-Airbus partnership. The plant will manufacture light utility helicopters for domestic use and export markets, aligning with India’s push to become a global aerospace manufacturing hub.
Modi also announced plans to jointly manufacture a helicopter capable of operating at extreme altitudes, including the heights of Mount Everest.
Macron pays tribute to the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, reaffirming India–France solidarity against terrorism
Shared stand on terrorism, global issues
At a joint press conference, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations”, supporting a multipolar global order, advancing reforms in global institutions, promoting peace across regions, including Ukraine, West Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
Economic and investment measures
India and France signed agreements to promote mutual investment and avoid double taxation while expanding cooperation in critical minerals, biotechnology and emerging technologies. Bilateral trade currently stands at roughly $18 billion annually, with French investments in India estimated at nearly $15 billion.
Engagements in Mumbai
Macron began his day with a jog along Marine Drive and paid tribute to victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. He also interacted with cultural figures, highlighting people-to-people ties as a key pillar of the relationship.
During his stay, the French President met actors Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee, Shabana Azmi and Richa Chadha, along with filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, director Neeraj Ghaywan and Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej.
Sharing photographs from the meeting on social media, the French President described the gathering as a moment that reflected the power of cultural exchange. “Alongside legends of Indian cinema. Culture brings us together,” he wrote.
Anil Kapoor also posted images from the interaction and called it an inspiring exchange of ideas. He said the discussion touched on cinema, storytelling and the strong creative bridge between the two countries, adding that such conversations open the door for future collaborations.
The meeting took place during Macron’s three-day visit to India, which is focused on strengthening strategic and economic cooperation. Earlier in the day, he met Narendra Modi, and the two leaders held discussions on defence ties, trade, artificial intelligence, counter-terrorism efforts and the expanding India-France strategic partnership.
After Mumbai, President Macron will travel to New Delhi for the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, where global leaders and tech experts will discuss the future of artificial intelligence and sustainable development.
Macron has visited India several times, including for the 2023 G20 Summit and the 2024 Republic Day celebrations, and his current trip aims to further strengthen ties in defence, technology, climate and culture.
The interaction with film personalities added a softer diplomatic touch to the tour, underlining the role of cinema and the arts in strengthening people-to-people connections between the two nations.
