Emmanuel Macron India Visit Live Updates: PM Modi, French President launch India-France Year of Innovation 2026

French President Emmanuel Macron is all set to visit the mega event of AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.

India's Ambassador to France, Sanjeev Kumar Singla, said that India and France have the most ambitious 25-year roadmap to elevate the comprehensive relationship into a special global strategic partnership.

“India and France celebrated 25 years of strategic partnership in 2023 by unveiling the Horizon 2047 vision; we have the most ambitious 25-year roadmap to elevate the comprehensive relationship into a special global strategic partnership,” said India's Ambassador to France Sanjeev Kumar Singla, as cited by the news agency PTI.

Ambassador of India to France, Sanjeev Kumar, in a Special Briefing on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, said that French President's visit to India marks a new milestone in the relationship between two nations.

“This visit marks a new milestone in our relations as the two leaders have decided to elevate our bilateral strategic partnership to a new level, to a special global strategic partnership,” said Sanjeev Kumar, reported the news agency PTI.

After launching the India–France Year of Innovation, the French president posted a part of his speech at the launch and captioned it ‘Jai Ho!’

Visuals from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurating the India–France Year of Innovation 2026 at the Gateway of India on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin jointly chaired the 6th India–France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron are now looking forward to other programmes scheduled for Tuesday, 17 February 2026.

“After the talks and press statements at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai, President Macron and I are on the way to the other programmes, which include the India-France Innovation Forum,” said PM Modi in his recent social media post.

At the inauguration of the India–France Innovation Forum, French President Emmanuel Macron said that India is the perfect place to launch the initiative.

“First of all, Mr Prime Minister, thank you very much for travelling from Delhi to welcome me and my delegation here in Mumbai and for being present for this session. Your presence today means a lot and reflects the long-standing friendship between our two countries and our personal friendship. Mumbai, the city of dreams, a city in perpetual motion and reaching towards the future, is the perfect place to launch what we are inaugurating today, the India–France Year of Innovation,” said Macron during his media address.

French President Emmanuel Macron, at the India-France Year of Innovation launch, said that the partnership between the countries is allowing them to develop next-generation engines, cars, submarines, etc.

“France is a steadfast partner of making India. Our high-level cooperation allows us to develop next-generation engine, car, submarine, etc. And I want to thank you warmly, and this is not just a defence contract or a series of defence, we speak about what a sovereign alliance is, two great nations choosing each other at sea and in the sky, not by default, but by conviction,” said Macron during his media address at the India-France Year of Innovation launch.

Visuals show Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron at the inauguration event in Mumbai on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.

France President Emmanuel Macron said that the country's partnership with Indian is not just a technological rescue, it is in efforts to improve the everyday life of the people.

“Our partnership is also guided by a shared foundation that innovation is not just about major technological rescue, but also about improving everyday life, about making it healthier and safer,” said Emmanuel Macron during his media address.

“France is supporting India's ambition to expand its access in decarbonising energy through large power reactors as well as small modular reactors,” said French President Emmanuel Macron during his media address. “This year, we will develop a series of very important projects in the field.”

President Emmanuel Macron speaks at the India-France Year of Innovation launch in Mumbai on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.

After Tuesday's bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron shares three key words — Trust, Openness, and Ambition, as India and France seek to strengthen their relations using multiple collaborations.

“Trust, openness and ambition,” said Emmanuel Macron in his recent post on platform X.

PM Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron, launching the India-France Year of Innovation, said that both nations will focus on efforts to strengthen people-to-people connections.

"Friends, with the launch of the India-France Year of Innovation, we are now moving to transform our strategic partnership into a partnership of the people. Innovation does not happen in isolation; it happens through collaboration. Therefore, under the India-France Year of Innovation, our goal is to strengthen people-to-people connections.

Space tech, emerging technologies, startups, MSMEs, critical minerals, biotechnology and advanced materials sectors will remain in focus as both nations look forward towards boosting these industries.

After the bilateral meeting on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron, during his media address, said that they have no doubt and complete faith in the relationship between the two countries.

“The bilateral relationship between India and France is truly remarkable and unique. This relationship is one of trust, openness, and ambition. We have also decided today to elevate this partnership to a Special Strategic Partnership, granting it a new status. There is no doubt about that, because we have complete faith in this relationship, and we have been doing so for the past eight years,” said Macron during his address.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Airbus H125 helicopters, which will now be assembled in India, will be exported to countries all around the world.

“We are proud that India and France together will manufacture in India the world’s only helicopter capable of flying to the heights of Mount Everest. And this will also be exported across the world. That means the India–France partnership has no boundaries. It can reach from the deep oceans to the tallest mountains,” said Prime Minister Modi during his address.

PM Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron, after their bilateral meeting, announced that both nations are launching the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health, the Indo-French Centre for Digital Science and Technology, and the National Centre of Alliance for Skilling in Aeronautics.

“These are not just institutes, they are future-building platforms. Friends, the world is facing a period of uncertainty. In this environment, the India-France partnership is a force for global stability. We are combining France's expertise and India's scale,” said PM Modi in his media address.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron reflected on the AI ​​Action Committee Summit in France, when they visited Marseille, France's largest port and a major gateway to France and all of Europe.

“Marseille is the city from where our Indian soldiers set foot in Europe during World War I. Their saga of bravery is still remembered in many parts of Europe, and it is the same city where freedom fighter Veer Savarkar jumped into the sea to escape the British. His action symbolised his unwavering resolve for India's independence. I had the opportunity to remember and pay my respects to him in Marseille last year. This time, when President Macron is in India for the AI ​​Impact Summit, we are fortunate to welcome him in Mumbai, the gateway to India,” said PM Modi in his address.

PM Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the Airbus H125 helicopter assembly line at the beginning of the press conference on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.

PM Modi begins his media address by welcoming everyone and greeting the French delegates with ‘Bonjour.’

PM Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the H125 helicopter assembly line on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.

“The two sides are further spending the India-France, strategic partnership with more than 20 agreements and outcomes in diverse areas of cooperation, struggling, defense, economy, digital transformation, skilling and health in the year 2026,” as per the announcement on Tuesday.

PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron's press conference begins

Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, shared his moments with French President Emmanuel Macron exchanging thoughts on cinema, culture, and the powerful bridge between India and France.

“Spent an inspiring afternoon with President Emmanuel Macron and his gracious better half, Brigitte, exchanging thoughts on cinema, culture, and the powerful bridge between India and France,” said Anil Kapoor in his post on X.

• After the bilateral meeting with PM Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron will exchange multiple MOUs, which will be followed up by a press conference at the Raj Bhawan in Mumbai.
• After finishing the press conference, PM Modi and the French President will inaugurate the India-France Innovation Forum at Hotel Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai.
• They will also attend the India-France Year of Innovation and Cultural Commemoration at the Gateway of India.

After finishing the events in Mumbai, the French delegation will travel to Delhi for the India AI Impact Summit 2026, which is being hosted at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Visuals show the delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Lok Bhavan in Mumbai on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.

Multiple upcoming MOUs between the two nations, and further strengthening India-France ties, are in focus today as both leaders will discuss topics related to digital technology, innovation, student mobility, culture, defence, security, and green pathways.

French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin arrived at Kolar, Karnataka, to meet with Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.

According to a report from the news agency ANI, the ministers will jointly chair the 6th India–France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru today.

The meeting is expected to focus on the defence cooperation agreement for another 10 years and signing an MoU for a joint venture to manufacture HAMMER missiles in India.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said that digital technology, fields of innovation, student mobility, culture, defence, security, green pathways, among other things will be in focus in PM Modi's meeting with the French President.

“There's so much that is happening between India and France, two strategic partners in the fields of digital technology, the fields of innovation, student mobility, culture, defence, security, green pathways, and a lot more. All these issues will come up for discussion when the two leaders meet this afternoon,” Jaiswal told ANI.

He also said that after the meeting, there are several programs scheduled to celebrate this beautiful partnership. “We have a colourful delight awaiting you at the Gateway of India,” he said.

Before the bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron met some ‘legends of Indian cinema.’

Shabana Azmi, Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee, Zoya Akhtar, and Richa Chadha were among other Bollywood members who met with the foreign leader on Tuesday.

“Alongside legends of Indian cinema. Culture brings us together,” said Macron in his latest post on X.

French President Emmanuel Macron told Prime Minister Modi that he really likes Mumbai and also enjoyed his Marine Drive run earlier during the day.

“It’s a delight to meet my friend, President Macron in Mumbai! He told me he really likes the city and also enjoyed his run earlier in the day!” said PM Modi in his recent post on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron will exchange and sign several MOUs on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, which will be followed by a press conference at Darbar Hall, Raj Bhawan, Mumbai.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently holding a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Lok Bhavan in Mumbai, where potential topics related to defence collaborations, India-France ties, and global issues of mutual interest are on the cards.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron's meeting today will focus on further strengthening India-France ties under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap.

Modi and Macron are also expected to exchange views on regional and global issues, including Indo-Pacific cooperation, reflecting growing strategic convergence.

The visit to India also signals a sustained momentum in the India-France strategic partnership, with a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) cooperation and emerging technologies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron with a hug as they meet at the Lok Bhavan in Mumbai on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.

PM Narendra Modi met with French President Emmanuel Macron at Mumbai's Lok Bhavan on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.

Governor of Maharashtra and Gujarat Acharya Devvrat welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai on Tuesday, 2026, ahead of his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

PM Narendra Modi and President Macron, in their meeting on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, in Mumbai, will focus on further strengthening the bilateral cooperation between the two countries under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap.

Modi and Macron are also expected to exchange views on regional and global issues, including Indo-Pacific cooperation, reflecting growing strategic convergence.

French President Emmanuel Macron said that they paid tribute to the victims of the 26/11 attacks to stand in the face of terrorism, unity and determination.

“At the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, we paid tribute to the victims of the 2008 attacks. To their families and loved ones, and to India: France stands with you. In the face of terrorism, unity and determination,” said Emmanuel Macron, reported the news agency ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at the Maharashtra Lok Bhavan for his meeting with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

Governor of Maharashtra and Gujarat Acharya Devvrat welcomed the Prime Minister at Lok Bhavan, Mumbai, reported the news agency ANI.

• French President Emmanuel Macron will meet with Prime Minister Modi at Lok Bhawan, Mumbai.
• Both leaders will exchange MOUs followed by a Press Statement at Darbar Hall, Raj Bhawan, Mumbai.
• India-France Innovation Forum at Hotel Taj Mahal Palace.
• India-France Year of Innovation and Cultural Commemoration at the Gateway of India.
• After the engagements in Mumbai, the French delegation will travel to Delhi for the India AI Impact Summit 2026, which is being hosted at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron's meeting in Mumbai on 17 February 2026 comes after the $40 billion defence deal, which India approved last week.

Mint reported earlier that the approval was part of New Delhi’s ₹3.6 trillion ($39.7 billion) defence spending package, which covers multiple acquisitions across the armed forces.

French cfourth visit to India at PM Narendra Modi's invitation is important as it signals a sustained momentum in the India-France strategic partnership, with a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) cooperation and emerging technologies.

Macron is accompanied by key business leaders, people who are key players in the economic, industrial, cultural and digital sectors of France.

This visit comes at a time when India is stepping towards diversifying and deepening its strategic ties beyond long-time suppliers of military equipment.

French President Emmanuel Macron will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai today, 17 February 2026, where the two national leaders will hold a wide range of discussions in an effort to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap.

Macron and Modi are also expected to exchange views on regional and global issues, including Indo-Pacific cooperation, reflecting growing strategic convergence.

After the meeting, both leaders are expected to go to the national capital, New Delhi, for the AI Impact Summit 2026.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his social media post on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to India and said that he is looking forward to meet his ‘dear friend’ in Mumbai very soon.

“Welcome to India! India is delighted to welcome your visit and intends to give new momentum to our strategic partnership. I am convinced that our discussions will further strengthen cooperation in various sectors and contribute to global progress. See you very soon in Mumbai, then in Delhi, my dear friend,” said PM Modi in his post on X.

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron, after their arrival in Mumbai on Tuesday, paid a solemn tribute to the victims of the Mumbai terror attacks, reported the news agency ANI.

The news report highlighted that the gesture from the foreign leader serves as a bridge between two nations that have both faced the scars of radicalisation and violence.

French President Emmanuel Macron is being accompanied by business leaders, people who are key players in the economic, industrial, cultural and digital sectors of France, during his visit to India for the AI Impact Summit 2026.

The President will be in India for three days for the mega event.

“Three days from Mumbai to New Delhi to take our strategic partnership even further,” said Emmanuel Macron. “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.”

France is seeking to expand its military partnership with New Delhi, with discussions expected on a possible contract for 114 additional French Dassault Rafale fighter jets, news agency AFP reported.

Here's French President Emmanuel Macron's full itinerary of Mumbai visit:

-Meeting with Prime Minister Modi at Lok Bhawan, Mumbai.

-Exchange of MOUs followed by Press Statement at Darbar Hall, Raj Bhawan, Mumbai.

-India-France Innovation Forum at Hotel Taj Mahal Palace.

-India-France Year of Innovation and Cultural Commemoration at the Gateway of India.