French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive in India for a three-day visit that is expected to further strengthen the strategic partnership between New Delhi and Paris. During the visit, he will take part in the AI Impact Summit 2026 and hold detailed talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the visit reflects the strong trust and depth in the India-France strategic partnership. Both leaders are expected to review progress under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, which guides cooperation between the two countries in areas such as defence, technology, trade, climate action, and global issues.
Macron’s visit comes at a time when global politics is facing uncertainty due to wars, supply chain disruptions, and growing competition in the Indo-Pacific region. For India and France, this is an important opportunity to deepen cooperation and send a strong signal of stability and partnership.
One of the key areas of discussion during the visit is likely to be defence cooperation. France is currently India’s second-largest defence supplier. Over the past decade, the two countries have built strong defence ties, especially after India purchased 36 Rafale fighter jets from France.
There are expectations that a major new defence deal could move forward during Macron’s visit. The Indian Air Force has proposed the purchase of 114 additional 4.5-generation Rafale fighter jets. The proposal has already received approval from the Defence Acquisition Council. If finalised, the deal could be worth around Rs 3.25 lakh crore, making it one of the largest defence deals in India’s history.
According to officials, 18 of the jets may be delivered in fly-away condition, while the remaining 96 aircraft could be manufactured in India under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. This would not only strengthen India’s air power but also boost domestic defence production and create jobs.
India already operates 36 Rafale jets, and the Indian Navy has also ordered 26 Rafale-M aircraft for its aircraft carriers. The expansion of Rafale fleets would further increase interoperability between the two forces and deepen defence ties.
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Another important topic is cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The Indo-Pacific has become a key strategic area due to rising tensions and increasing influence of China. The region accounts for nearly 60 per cent of global GDP and is crucial for international trade and maritime security.
France plays a unique role in the Indo-Pacific because it has overseas territories such as Réunion and New Caledonia in the region. This makes France an Indo-Pacific power. India and France have already conducted joint naval exercises and increased maritime cooperation. During this visit, both sides are expected to discuss ways to ensure a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
For India, partnership with France helps balance regional challenges and secure sea lanes of communication. For France, working with India strengthens its presence and influence in Asia. Together, both countries aim to promote stability and diversify supply chains to reduce dependence on any single country.
Apart from defence and security, technology and innovation will be another major focus of Macron’s visit. The French President will participate in the AI Impact Summit 2026, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The summit will bring together delegates, experts, and philanthropists from more than 20 countries.
Artificial intelligence is emerging as a powerful technology that can transform industries, governance, healthcare, and education. India and France are keen to work together in research, regulation, and ethical use of AI. Cooperation in AI can open new opportunities for startups, academic institutions, and technology companies in both countries.
The two nations are also celebrating 2026 as the ‘Year of Innovation’. This initiative aims to increase collaboration in science, research, higher education, and new technologies. Joint research projects, student exchanges, and partnerships between universities are expected to grow under this programme.
The Horizon 2047 Roadmap provides a long-term vision for cooperation until the centenary of India’s independence. It includes collaboration in clean energy, space, civil nuclear energy, climate change, and digital transformation. France has supported India in international forums on issues such as climate finance and strategic autonomy.
Macron’s visit also follows Prime Minister Modi’s trip to France in February 2025. Regular high-level exchanges show that both countries attach high importance to their partnership. Unlike many other international relationships, India and France have maintained steady ties without major disputes.
In today’s changing global order, both countries value strategic independence. France supports India’s role as a major global power, while India sees France as a reliable European partner. Their cooperation is not limited to bilateral issues but also extends to regional and global challenges.
Overall, Macron’s visit is significant because it covers a wide range of areas — defence deals, Indo-Pacific security, artificial intelligence, innovation, and global cooperation. The meetings between the two leaders are expected to further strengthen trust and set the direction for future collaboration.
As India and France look ahead to deeper engagement, this visit may mark another important step in building a long-term, stable, and forward-looking strategic partnership.
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