French President Emmanuel Macron is on an official visit to India from 17 to 19 February on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In Mumbai, Macron and PM Modi shook hands warmly and got a photoshoot done. Both the leaders will address industrialists, startup founders, research experts, and people associated with innovation. Macron will also participate in the AI ​​Impact Summit in Delhi. France wants to expand its military partnership with New Delhi and the contract for 114 Rafale fighter jets is to be negotiated.
What is included in the bilateral agenda?
Emmanuel Macron’s visit is taking place at a time when recently the Free Trade Agreement has been signed between India and the European Union (EU), which has been called the Mother of All Deals. France is one of India’s closest strategic partners among European countries and is a major supplier of defense equipment like Rafale fighter jets, Scorpene submarines. India has recently advanced the process of purchasing 114 new Rafale jets from French company Dassault, just a few days before Macron’s visit. Bilateral talks between PM Modi and Macron will focus on innovation, trade, technology.
Macron will participate in AI summit in Delhi
The Ministry of External Affairs has said that this visit of Macron is taking place after PM Modi’s visit to France in February 2025, which shows confidence in the strategic partnership of the two countries. After his events in Mumbai, Macron will attend the AI ​​Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 19 with his wife Brigitte Macron. During this, both the leaders will review the progress made so far under the India-France strategic partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues.
Veterans from different fields came to India with Macron
Before leaving for India, President Macron had written on ‘X’ that he is coming on a three-day visit from Mumbai to New Delhi, so that the strategic partnership between the two countries can be further taken forward. He said that along with him, prominent people associated with business, industry, culture and digital sector are also coming to India, who play an important role in strengthening the relations between the two countries. France and India together co-chaired the AI ​​Action Summit 2025 in February last year, which is an important part of the Innovation Science and Technology Partnership Horizon 2047 roadmap.
