Macron in India for AI Summit, Talks Trade and Defence
Macron in India for AI Summit, Talks Trade and Defence
Macron visits India for the AI Impact Summit and talks with Modi to deepen trade, defence and innovation ties.
French President Emmanuel Macron will undertake a three-day visit to India next week to attend the AI Impact Summit and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to boost ties in key sectors such as trade and defence. He will begin his visit in Mumbai on February 17 where he and Modi will inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation. The two leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of bilateral cooperation under the Horizon 2047 road map, highlighting shared interests in trade, investment and regional security.
The visit underscores the depth of the India-France Strategic Partnership and mirrors a mutual commitment to deepen collaboration across culture, technology and industry throughout 2026, the year designated for joint innovation initiatives. The bilateral Year of Innovation will feature collaborative events across multiple sectors, including culture, trade and technology, as both nations position themselves as key partners in a fast-evolving global landscape.
Macron will participate in the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 19, a signal of India’s growing leadership in shaping the artificial intelligence debate on the world stage. The summit is part of ongoing efforts to align public policy with rapid tech development, a point underscored by international observers who have praised India’s proactive approach to AI governance.
France remains a major strategic partner for India, notably as a supplier of defence equipment such as Rafale jets and Scorpene submarines. The talks are expected to cover regional and global issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and ways to translate high-level promises into concrete projects for businesses and citizens alike. As Modi and Macron chart a path forward, the India-France partnership is framed as a conduit for accelerated innovation, stronger defence ties, and broader economic collaboration.
In Mumbai and New Delhi, the leaders will seek to reinforce trust, push for concrete outcomes under the Horizon 2047 roadmap, and celebrate a year-long collaboration that aims to elevate both nations on the global stage.
