French President Emmanuel Macron visited India for three days at the invitation of PM Modi to attend the India AI Impact Summit and hold a bilateral summit in Mumbai. This marked Macron’s fourth visit to India and his first to Mumbai.
At Mumbai airport, he was welcomed by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, highlighting the visit’s significance. Fadnavis posted on X, “Bienvenue à Mumbai! A very warm welcome to President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. Wishing a successful visit!”
As he flew to India, Macron tweeted: “En route to India! Three days from Mumbai to New Delhi to take our strategic partnership further. On board: business leaders and cultural, economic, and digital experts who bring India–France ties to life. See you tomorrow, my dear friend @NarendraModi!”
PM Narendra Modi warmly welcomed President Macron, noting that the Mumbai and Delhi engagements would give fresh momentum to the India–France strategic partnership, benefiting both nations and the global community. Modi posted on X: “Welcome to India! Looking forward to advancing our bilateral ties and strengthening cooperation across sectors. See you in Mumbai and Delhi, my dear friend @EmmanuelMacron.”
President Macron began his official India visit with a morning jog along Mumbai’s Marine Drive, closely monitored by security and locals. Later, he and First Lady Brigitte Macron paid floral tributes at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, honouring the victims of the 2008 26/11 terror attacks.
Macron meets Bollywood stars
French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron met Bollywood stars including Anil Kapoor, Zoya Akhtar, Manoj Bajpayee, Shabana Azmi, Richa Chadha, Neeraj Ghaywan, and Grammy-winner Ricky Kej during their India visit.
Sharing photos on X, Macron wrote, “Alongside legends of Indian cinema. Culture brings us together.” Anil Kapoor also called it an “inspiring afternoon,” adding they exchanged thoughts on cinema, culture, and the India–France connection.
India-France deepen innovation ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Maharashtra Lok Bhavan in Mumbai to meet French President Emmanuel Macron, where Governor Acharya Devvrat welcomed him. The leaders held delegation talks and virtually inaugurated the H125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly of Tata Airbus in Vemagal, Karnataka.
At the joint press conference, Modi expressed delight in welcoming Macron, recalling their visit to Marseille during the AI Action Committee Summit in France and paying tribute to India’s freedom fighters, including Veer Savarkar. He highlighted the India–France Year of Innovation, aiming to transform the strategic partnership into a “Partnership of the People” by strengthening people-to-people connections, linking industries, start-ups, MSMEs, students, and researchers, and establishing new joint innovation centres.
Modi also praised the helicopter assembly line as a symbol of deep trust between the two countries, producing the world’s only helicopter capable of flying to Mount Everest, which will also be exported globally. He announced strengthened cooperation in critical minerals, biotechnology, and advanced materials, along with the launch of the Indo-French Centres for AI in Health, Digital Science & Technology, and the National Centre for Skilling in Aeronautics. These initiatives, he said, are future-building platforms that combine France’s expertise with India’s scale to develop trusted technologies, ensure human development through the International Solar Alliance, advance the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, and promote global stability through multilateralism, dialogue, and diplomacy.
French President Emmanuel Macron thanked India for the warm welcome on his fourth official visit, calling the India–France relationship “remarkable and unique,” built on trust, openness, and ambition. He announced that the partnership has been elevated to a Special Strategic Partnership and highlighted joint initiatives over the past eight years in areas like the Indo-Pacific, technology, artificial intelligence, IMEC, and the International Solar Alliance.
PM Narendra Modi said India and France share democratic values, the rule of law, and a commitment to a multipolar world. He stressed cooperation on global challenges, peace efforts in regions like Ukraine, West Asia, and the Indo-Pacific, and the joint fight against terrorism. Modi also highlighted cultural and people-to-people ties, citing collaborations on the Jewel Museum, the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, and the upcoming Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in France.
Macron noted strong bilateral collaboration in defence, including Rafale jets, submarines, and engines for fighter jets, along with shared initiatives in space and aeronautics. He emphasised technology transfer and said the upcoming Innovation Year will strengthen partnerships across startups, companies, and R&D centres, including high-speed rail and other strategic sectors.
Modi, Macron share ride to forum
PM Narendra Modi shared a ride with French President Emmanuel Macron to the India–France Innovation Forum in Mumbai after their bilateral talks. Posting on X, Modi wrote, "After the talks and press statements at Lok Bhavan, President Macron and I are on our way to the India–France Innovation Forum."
The ride underscores the close rapport between PM Modi and global leaders, reflecting his focus on strengthening cooperation in innovation, trade, and technology. Previously, he shared rides with Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur, Russian President Vladimir Putin in Delhi, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Gujarat, and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Delhi, highlighting his personal engagement with world leaders.
At the forum, Macron said, "The question is no longer whether India innovates, but who will innovate with India. France is the clear answer. We are here to stay. Jai Ho! Long live the Indo-French relationship."
He added that, following Modi’s proposal, an Innovation Day will be held before the G7, bringing together students and researchers under Franco-Indian initiatives.
At the Forum, the French President also highlighted India’s global leadership in technology, noting, “The CEOs of Alphabet, Microsoft, IBM, Adobe, and Palo Alto Networks are Indian. Even the CEO of Chanel hails from Kolhapur. India doesn’t just participate in global innovation; it leads it.”
