French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India has gathered strategic weight as he arrives in Mumbai for high-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with defence procurement, artificial intelligence, trade expansion and Indo-Pacific cooperation expected to dominate the agenda.
Macron, accompanied by First Lady Brigitte Macron and a delegation of business and policy leaders, began a three-day India tour that underscores the accelerating pace of India–France strategic ties. This marks Macron’s fourth visit to India and his first official engagement in Mumbai, signalling the growing importance of economic and technological diplomacy between the two countries.
A High-Stakes Bilateral in Mumbai
The centrepiece of the Mumbai leg is a bilateral meeting between Modi and Macron at Lok Bhavan, where the two leaders are scheduled to review cooperation under the India–France “Horizon 2047” roadmap. The framework outlines long-term collaboration in defence, nuclear energy, space research, climate action, education and emerging technologies.
Officials indicate that nearly a dozen agreements could be finalised or advanced across sectors including defence production, trade facilitation, skill development, healthcare cooperation and supply chain resilience. The visit comes at a time when both countries are seeking to reduce strategic dependencies and strengthen industrial partnerships.
Later in the evening, the leaders will jointly inaugurate the India–France Year of Innovation 2026 at the Gateway of India. The initiative aims to deepen collaboration between start-ups, research institutions and private industry across artificial intelligence, clean energy, biotechnology and digital infrastructure.
Defence Cooperation in Focus
Among the most closely watched agenda items is defence collaboration. India’s proposal to procure 114 additional Rafale fighter jets under a government-to-government framework is expected to feature prominently in discussions. While negotiations remain ongoing, the deal if finalised would represent one of the largest defence procurements between the two nations.
The visit also coincides with preparations for the sixth Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru, where both sides are expected to renew and possibly expand their defence cooperation agreement for another decade.
Beyond aircraft procurement, the talks are likely to address maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, joint naval exercises and technology transfer arrangements. France, with territories in the Indian Ocean and a permanent naval presence in the region, has increasingly positioned itself as a strategic partner for India in balancing regional power dynamics.
Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
Artificial intelligence is another central theme of Macron’s visit. After the Mumbai engagements, the French President will travel to New Delhi to attend the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam. The summit, billed as the first major global AI gathering hosted in the Global South, reflects India’s ambition to shape international AI governance frameworks.
The summit is structured around three pillars People, Planet and Progress emphasising ethical deployment, sustainability and inclusive growth. It follows Modi and Macron’s co-chairing of the AI Action Summit in Paris in 2025, suggesting continuity in their shared push for balanced AI regulation.
Officials say the leaders are expected to review progress on the India–France AI roadmap launched during Modi’s earlier visit to France. Discussions may include collaboration in semiconductor ecosystems, data governance, cybersecurity and responsible AI research.
Trade, Industry and Innovation
Trade expansion and industrial partnerships form another pillar of the visit. Macron’s delegation includes representatives from France’s economic, industrial, cultural and digital sectors. Bilateral trade between India and France has grown steadily over the past decade, but both governments believe there is untapped potential in renewable energy, urban mobility, aerospace manufacturing and green hydrogen.
The India–France Year of Innovation is expected to catalyse new cross-border investment, particularly in technology start-ups and clean energy projects. Mumbai, as India’s financial capital, offers a symbolic and practical platform for such announcements.
Climate cooperation is also expected to feature prominently. Both nations have worked closely under the International Solar Alliance framework and are likely to explore expanded joint initiatives in sustainable infrastructure and carbon-neutral technologies.
Regional and Global Issues
Beyond bilateral themes, Modi and Macron are expected to exchange views on pressing global issues, including the Indo-Pacific balance of power, the Russia–Ukraine conflict and developments in West Asia. France has consistently supported India’s expanded global role, including its aspirations for greater representation in multilateral institutions.
The two leaders are also likely to discuss maritime cooperation and regional security frameworks aimed at maintaining open sea lanes and preventing destabilisation in the Indian Ocean region.
Strategic Continuity
Macron’s visit highlights a relationship that has evolved beyond transactional defence deals into a broader strategic partnership encompassing technology, education, climate and geopolitics. India and France have often aligned on maintaining strategic autonomy while fostering diversified global alliances.
The symbolism of launching the Year of Innovation in Mumbai, followed by AI-focused deliberations in Delhi, signals a partnership oriented toward future-facing sectors rather than legacy agreements alone.
As both countries navigate shifting geopolitical alignments and technological disruption, the outcomes of this visit may shape the trajectory of Indo-French cooperation for the next decade.
