French President Emmanuel Macron is set to arrive in India late Monday night for a three-day state visit that is expected to deepen the already robust strategic partnership between New Delhi and Paris. The visit combines high-level diplomacy, defence cooperation, and emerging technology collaboration, reflecting the growing convergence of interests between the two countries in an increasingly complex global environment.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Macron’s visit underscores the “mutual trust and depth” that characterises the India–France strategic partnership. During his stay, Macron will participate in the India AI Impact Summit and hold extensive bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with discussions spanning defence, technology, innovation, and regional security.
The bilateral talks are expected to focus on advancing cooperation under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, a long-term framework aimed at expanding collaboration across defence, trade, climate action, space, and emerging technologies. The MEA has indicated that both leaders will also deliberate on pressing regional and global issues, particularly developments in the Indo-Pacific region.
Macron and Modi will travel to Mumbai to jointly inaugurate the India–France Year of Innovation 2026, an initiative designed to boost collaboration in research, startups, education, and advanced technology sectors. The programme will feature exchanges and joint projects throughout the year in both countries, highlighting innovation as a central pillar of bilateral engagement.
A major highlight of the visit could be progress on a significant defence agreement involving Rafale fighter jets. France remains India’s second-largest defence supplier, and negotiations have advanced regarding the Indian Air Force’s proposal to procure 114 additional 4.5-generation Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft.
The proposal has already received approval from the Defence Acquisition Council led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and the deal—estimated at approximately ₹3.25 lakh crore—could become one of India’s largest defence procurements.
Under the proposed arrangement, 18 aircraft are expected to be delivered in fly-away condition, while the remaining 96 jets would be manufactured domestically under India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, strengthening indigenous defence production capabilities. India currently operates 36 Rafale aircraft, while the Indian Navy has also placed an order for 26 Rafale-M jets for carrier operations.
Another key agenda item during Macron’s visit will be cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, a region that accounts for nearly 60 percent of global GDP and has emerged as a focal point of geopolitical competition.
India and France share concerns over growing strategic competition in the region, particularly amid China’s expanding maritime presence. France’s overseas territories—including Réunion and New Caledonia—provide it with a significant strategic footprint in the Indo-Pacific, making Paris a natural partner for New Delhi in promoting a rules-based regional order.
Both countries are expected to explore enhanced maritime security cooperation, joint naval exercises, and supply-chain diversification efforts aimed at ensuring economic resilience and stability.
Macron’s participation in the AI Impact Summit 2026 reflects the increasing importance of artificial intelligence in bilateral cooperation. The summit, inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, will bring together policymakers, technology leaders, researchers, and philanthropists from over 20 countries to discuss responsible AI development and governance.
India and France are seeking to expand collaboration in artificial intelligence research, digital governance, and ethical technology frameworks, positioning innovation as a cornerstone of future ties.
The visit also follows Modi’s trip to France in February 2025, signalling sustained high-level engagement between the two nations. As global power dynamics evolve, Macron’s India visit is expected to reinforce a partnership that increasingly blends strategic autonomy, technological cooperation, and shared geopolitical interests—marking another step forward in one of India’s most stable and trusted international relationships.
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