French President Emmanuel Macron praised India. Addressing the India-France Innovation Forum in Mumbai, he said that the CEOs of many big companies of the world are Indians and this is not a coincidence, but a proof of the strength of India’s talent. This partnership is not just strategic. In today’s turbulent times, this is a partnership for global stability and global progress.
Macron praised India a lot
Macron said, ‘The CEO of Alphabet is an Indian. The CEO of Microsoft is an Indian. The CEO of IBM is an Indian. The CEO of Adobe is an Indian. The CEO of Palo Alto Networks is an Indian and the CEO of the channel is from Kolhapur. Right here from Maharashtra. India does not just participate in global innovation; India leads it.
These things happened on 17 February 2026 in Mumbai, where Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were together. In the forum, both the leaders launched the India-France Year of Innovation 2026. Macron praised India’s ‘huge talent pool’ and said that India has the ability to scale ideas for its large population. He specifically mentioned Maharashtra, where the CEO of the channel is from Kolhapur, hearing this the people present there applauded.
India leader of global innovation: Macron
Macron further said, ‘India is the leader of global innovation. This is not just participation, this is leadership. PM Modi was seen smiling at his statement. Modi replied that India-France partnership has today become a ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’. He said, ‘The world is going through uncertainty. In such a situation, India-France partnership is the strength of global stability. We are combining the expertise of France and the scale of India.
India is moving ahead in AI, tech and innovation
This praise of Macron has come at a time when India is progressing rapidly in AI, tech and innovation. During his three-day visit (17-19 February 2026), big talks were also held on Rafale deal, defense and critical minerals. But his focus at the Innovation Forum was on Indian talent, which is running companies around the world.
PM Modi told the media, ‘The world is passing through a period of uncertainty. In such an environment, the India-France partnership is a strong force of global stability. We are combining the expertise of France and the vast potential of India. The two countries have a very special relationship and France is one of India’s oldest strategic partners.
PM Modi further said, ‘Together with President Macron, we have given unprecedented depth and energy to this strategic partnership. On the basis of this trust and shared vision, today we are establishing our relations as a special global strategic partnership.
