French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Mumbai to begin a three-day official visit that centres on the Macron India visit, with the Macron Modi Mumbai meeting set for later today.
The Macron India visit comes as India moves closer to a major expansion of its air force through the Rafale deal India. Macron arrived late Monday night with First Lady Brigitte Macron for his fourth trip to India and first to Mumbai. He will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Lok Bhavan this afternoon before the leaders address the media.
Macron arrives in India for strategic push
Macron arrives in India at a pivotal moment for Indo-French defence and technology ties. The French leader and his delegation, which includes senior business and tech executives, aim to advance the Horizon 2047 roadmap adopted in 2023. This long-term plan covers defence, space, nuclear energy, climate action and emerging technologies.
Official sources confirm the Macron Modi Mumbai meeting will review progress in the India-France strategic partnership and discuss regional and global issues. The two sides will also inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation 2026.
Rafale deal India dominates agenda
The Rafale deal India forms the centrepiece of discussions. Last week the Indian Defence Acquisition Council gave preliminary approval for the purchase of 114 additional Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation. The proposed package is valued at approximately €30 billion (Rs 3.6 lakh crore).
Sources indicate the majority of the aircraft would be manufactured in India. This would build on previous orders: 36 Rafale jets delivered to the Indian Air Force since 2016 and 26 more approved for the Navy in 2025.
During the Macron India visit, both sides are expected to negotiate final commercial and technical details. No contract has been signed yet.
Macron Modi Mumbai meeting set to deepen ties
The Macron Modi Mumbai meeting will also cover artificial intelligence cooperation. Macron is scheduled to participate in the AI Impact Summit hosted by India. Joint statements are likely on critical minerals, Indo-Pacific strategy and trade.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed the French president on social media: “Welcome to India, my dear friend @EmmanuelMacron. India looks forward to your visit and to advancing our bilateral ties to new heights. See you in Mumbai and later in Delhi.”
Macron posted before departure: “En route to India! Three days from Mumbai to New Delhi to take our strategic partnership even further.” On Tuesday morning he laid a wreath at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in Mumbai to honour victims of the 2008 terror attacks.
Background
India and France established a strategic partnership in 1998, one of the first such frameworks for New Delhi. Defence remains the cornerstone, with France supplying submarines, aircraft and missiles. The Rafale deal India would mark the largest single defence contract between the two countries.
France has consistently supported India’s bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council and has backed New Delhi on counter-terrorism. The Macron India visit reinforces this alignment at a time when South Asian security dynamics evolve rapidly.
Economic ties have grown steadily. Bilateral trade exceeds €10 billion annually, with strong cooperation in renewable energy, space and civil nuclear sectors. The visit also builds on the recent India-EU free trade agreement momentum.
What’s Next
The Macron India visit continues to New Delhi on Wednesday for further engagements, including the AI Impact Summit opening. Any progress on the Rafale deal India could be announced before Macron departs on Thursday.
Analysts expect the Macron Modi Mumbai meeting to produce several memoranda of understanding in technology and innovation. The leaders will issue a joint statement outlining next steps in the Horizon 2047 plan.
For South Asia the strengthened partnership signals continued diversification of defence sources and deeper technology collaboration. The Macron India visit underscores France’s role as a reliable strategic partner.
This reporting is based solely on official Indian and French government statements and verified public posts.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, February 17th, 2026
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