French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron Touch Down in Mumbai for Pivotal State Visit
French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron arrived at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Tuesday morning, marking the commencement of a significant three-day state visit to India that will extend through February 19th. This visit underscores the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations, with a packed agenda focusing on defence, artificial intelligence, and innovation.
Warm Welcome and High-Level Engagements in the Financial Capital
The French delegation was accorded a ceremonial welcome upon arrival. They were received by a high-profile group of Maharashtra state leaders, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Governor Acharya Devvrat, and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar. This marks President Macron's fourth visit to India but his inaugural trip to the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, highlighting the city's growing importance in the bilateral relationship.
Expressing his enthusiasm, CM Devendra Fadnavis posted a welcome message on social media platform X, stating, "Bienvenue à Mumbai! A very warm welcome to the President of France, H.E. Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron as they arrive in Mumbai! Maharashtra welcomes you! Wishing Hon President Macron and the entire French delegation a pleasant stay and a successful visit."
Strategic Bilateral Talks and the Horizon 2047 Roadmap
The core of the visit's first day features a high-stakes bilateral meeting between President Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at Lok Bhavan. The leaders are set to conduct a comprehensive review of the India-France strategic partnership across multiple critical domains:
- Defence and Security: Including discussions on the Defence Industrial Roadmap and potential procurement of Rafale fighter jets.
- Space and Nuclear Energy: Continuing collaboration in advanced technological sectors.
- Climate Action and Education: Reinforcing joint commitments to global challenges.
- Emerging Technologies: With a sharp focus on artificial intelligence under the newly launched roadmap.
This dialogue is guided by the ambitious Horizon 2047 roadmap, which outlines the long-term vision for bilateral cooperation. Nearly a dozen key agreements are anticipated to be signed, spanning defence, trade, skill development, public health, and resilient supply chains, further solidifying the economic and strategic ties.
Launching the India-France Year of Innovation 2026
In a landmark move, PM Modi and President Macron will jointly inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 during their meeting. This initiative, previously announced during Macron's engagements with Modi in Paris in 2025, aims to turbocharge collaborative efforts in research, technology, and entrepreneurship. The evening will see the leaders attending a special commemorative event at the iconic Gateway of India, where they will interact with a distinguished gathering of business leaders, pioneering start-ups, researchers, and innovators from both nations.
Global Issues and the AI Impact Summit
The bilateral discussions will also encompass pressing regional and global concerns. The leaders are expected to exchange views on:
- Security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
- The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- The situation in Gaza.
Following the Mumbai leg, President Macron will proceed to New Delhi to participate in the flagship India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam from February 16 to 20. This summit, the first of its global scale to be hosted in the Global South, is structured around three core pillars: People, Planet, and Progress. It builds upon the momentum from the AI Action Summit co-chaired by Modi and Macron in Paris in February 2025.
Deepening Defence and Technological Cooperation
The visit is strategically timed to advance several key defence projects. High on the agenda are detailed discussions linked to India's plan to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets from France under a government-to-government framework. Furthermore, the upcoming 6th Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru is expected to renew the foundational defence cooperation agreement between India and France for another decade, ensuring long-term strategic alignment.
Concurrently, both nations are poised to take significant strides in the realm of artificial intelligence. The leaders will review the progress of the India-France Roadmap on AI, launched during PM Modi's visit to France, setting the stage for enhanced collaboration in this critical frontier technology.
In a pre-departure statement, President Macron captured the spirit of the visit, posting on X: "En route to India! Three days from Mumbai to New Delhi to take our strategic partnership even further. On board with me: business leaders and the economic, industrial, cultural and digital players who give real, tangible life to the ties between India and France. Together, we will go even further in our cooperation. See you tomorrow, my dear friend @NarendraModi!"
This high-profile visit by the French President, accompanied by a substantial delegation of industry and cultural leaders, signals a robust and forward-looking phase in the India-France relationship, with concrete outcomes expected across defence, technology, and innovation sectors.
