Macron in India updates: Macron shares AI-generated image with PM Modi, making heart gesture

Posting about the Franco-Indian Center for Artificial Intelligence in Health that he launched, Macron said that France and India were harnessing AI for the common good.

“Research, training, innovation: France and India are harnessing AI for the common good!” he said.

Accompanied by First Lady Brigitte Macron, French President Emmanuel Macron visited Mumbai in India on Tuesday, February 17.

In Mumbai, the French president held bilateral meeting with PM Narendra Modi as part of efforts to further strengthen India-France strategic ties.

Emmanuel and Brigitte also met some of India's top filmmakers and actors over lunch. Later in the day, the French president visited Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), a UNESCO Heritage Structure, with French First Lady.

He walked inside the station from platform number 1. After spending almost six minutes, he exited from platform number 8, an official said. The President left in his official car.

French President Emmanuel Macron has shared an AI-generated image which shows him and PM Narendra Modi making a heart gesture with their hands. The caption is: “When friends connect, innovation follows.”

At AI Impact Summit, French President Emmanuel Macron said that India and France “believe in AI for the service of all humanity” and his country is ready to “put regulations on it.”

In a post welcoming French President Emmanuel Macron to Delhi, MEA spokepserson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Warm welcome to President @EmmanuelMacron in New Delhi for the AI Impact Summit 2026. Received by MoS @KVSinghMPGonda. The summit provides an opportunity to further advance 🇮🇳🇫🇷 shared priorities and mark an important step as AI moves from dialogue to impact on ground.”

French President Emmanuel Macron and Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, to shortly inaugurate the Indo-French Campus on AI in Global Health at All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

French President Emmanuel Macron who has been on a visit to India has flown to Delhi to attend the India AI Impact Summit today. Emmanue Macron is likely to visit the AI Summit later today.

French President Emmanuel Macron has left for Delhi from Mumbai to attend the AI Impact Summit at the Indian capital. Macron announced his departure via a post on X.

The Indo-French Innovation Network was launched on the evening of 17th February during the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 in Mumbai. The event was held in the prescence of PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

In a press briefing in Mumbai, President Emmanuel Macron urged India and France to hold a special ad hoc meeting to align their positions on key international issues before the upcoming G7 Summit in Evian, as per ANI.

Highlighting the “accelerated partnership” between the two nations, he pointed out that India will preside over the BRICS Summit while France holds the chair of the G7. Macron emphasised that this convergence presents a unique opportunity for collaboration and described it as a “moment of innovation” aimed at empowering the youth of both countries.

During the India-France Innovation Forum, Macron described Paris as partner of the 'Make in India' initiative, as per ANI.

As per ANI, he said, “In the field of defence, France is a steadfast partner of Make in India. Our high-level cooperation allows us to develop next-generation engines, multi-role helicopters, advanced combat aircraft, submarines, etc. And I want to thank you warmly for the extraordinary confidence you've placed in this partnership. And this is not just a defence contract, but a series of defence contracts. We speak about what a sovereign alliance is.”

He added, "Two great nations choosing each other on land, at sea, and in the sky, not by default but by conviction. And our cooperation is also crucial in the space sector. The development of the TRISHNA satellite shows what we can achieve when scientific excellence and industrial expertise are brought together."

Macron stated that France and India are firm to explore the potential of AI, however, requiring proper consideration of its repercussions, as per PTI.

"This is the path we are trying to create together: an AI that is powerful, profitable but also safe, inclusive, secure and democratic," he said.

Macron praised the ties between India and France, invoking the iconic movie phrase “Jai Ho", according to ANI.

“As we say in the famous film, ‘Jai Ho.’ Long live the Indo-French relationship,” he added.

India and France released joint statement after bilateral talks during Macron's visit to India, where “the two leaders reiterated their concern over the war in Ukraine, which continues to cause immense human suffering and negative global consequences”, according to ANI.

"They stressed the importance of cessation of hostilities and expressed support for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and international law, including independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity," the joint statement shared by the External Affairs Ministry stated.

A video of Emmanuel Macron being accorded a ceremonial welcome at a Mumbai hotel has gone viral, highlighting the role of cultural symbolism in his ongoing visit to India.

The footage shows the French President being received with a traditional Indian dance performance shortly after arriving in the city. Dancers in vibrant costumes are seen performing at the hotel entrance, lending the reception a distinctly Indian character—an approach often used during high-level diplomatic engagements to showcase local heritage and hospitality.

Watch the full video here.

French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the Research Symposium at Bharat Mandapam at around 9 am in the morning.

Subsequently, Macron is scheduled to visit the country pavilions in Hall 14 on Bharat Mandapam.

At around noon, Macron will attend the Leaders Plenary and the Working Lunch at the Summit Room in Bharat Mandapam, wrapping up his trip to India.

He is expected to depart New Delhi around 4 pm on Wednesday.

India and France on Tuesday upgraded their ties to a "special global strategic partnership" and pledged to enhance collaboration in defence, commerce and essential minerals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron characterised the bilateral relationship as a "force for global stability" amidst rising international geopolitical volatility.

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India and France on Tuesday elevated their ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership and made a slew of announcements across key sectors such as defence, technology and innovation, startups, critical minerals, advanced materials, health and skilling, reflecting the growing strength of the relationship between the two countries.

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French President Emmanuel Macron began his fourth visit to India — a three-day trip — on Monday.

Check his full itinerary here.