French President Macron arrives in India, set for talks with PM Modi
Defence cooperation, trade, clean energy, innovation and artificial intelligence to feature prominently in discussions
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Mumbai on Monday night on a three-day state visit aimed at deepening France’s strategic partnership with India, with stops planned in Mumbai and New Delhi.
Macron, accompanied by First Lady Brigitte Macron, was received at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Governor Acharya Devvrat. This is Macron’s fourth visit to India and comes amid expanding cooperation between the two nations in defence, technology, trade and culture.
Ahead of his departure, Macron said he was “en route to India” for three days of engagements from Mumbai to New Delhi to take the strategic partnership “even further.”
He noted that business leaders and key economic, industrial, cultural and digital stakeholders were traveling with him, describing them as giving “real, tangible life” to ties between India and France. Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “my dear friend,” Macron said, “Together, we will go even further in our cooperation.”
The French Embassy in India said the visit’s agenda includes the launch of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, bilateral discussions and participation in the AI Impact Summit. The initiative is expected to highlight collaboration in emerging technologies, startups, research and digital transformation.
PM Modi welcomed Macron’s arrival, saying India looks forward to advancing bilateral ties “to new heights.” He expressed confidence that their discussions would strengthen cooperation across sectors and contribute to global progress.
“See you in Mumbai and later in Delhi, my dear friend,” Modi said in a message to the French president.
Macron and Modi are scheduled to hold talks in both Mumbai and New Delhi, with officials indicating that defence cooperation, trade, clean energy, innovation and artificial intelligence will feature prominently in discussions.
