French President Emmanuel Macron lands in Mumbai; Rafale mega deal, AI talks top agenda

This marks Macron's fourth visit to India.

• Macron starts three-day India visit on AI and defence cooperation
• Talks cover Rafale jet deal, AI summit, and innovation initiatives
• Airbus-Tata helicopter assembly line to open in Karnataka

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Emmanuel Macron arrived in Mumbai around midnight on Monday, beginning a three-day visit to India focused on artificial intelligence cooperation, defence ties, and expanding the strategic partnership between the two nations.

Accompanied by First Lady Brigitte Macron, the French President was received at the airport by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

This marks Macron's fourth visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reflecting sustained momentum in India-France ties.

During the visit, the two leaders will hold bilateral talks in Mumbai on February 17 under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, exchange views on regional and global issues including the Indo-Pacific, and jointly launch the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 - an initiative announced during Macron's 2024 State Visit as Republic Day Chief Guest.

After engagements in Mumbai, Macron will travel to New Delhi for the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, a five-day event built around the themes of People, Planet and Progress. His participation builds on Modi's co-chairing of the AI Action Summit in Paris in February 2025 and underscores growing cooperation in emerging technologies.

Defence cooperation is expected to feature prominently in discussions, particularly a potential multibillion-euro deal for 114 additional Dassault Rafale fighter jets. New Delhi recently confirmed that a major Rafale order has been cleared, with most of the aircraft likely to be manufactured in India. If finalised, the jets would add to the 36 Rafales inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2016 and 26 ordered for the Navy. Negotiations with manufacturer Dassault Aviation are ongoing, with the French presidency describing the prospective agreement as historic.

The leaders will also inaugurate, via videoconference, India's first helicopter final assembly line - a joint venture between Tata Group and Airbus - in Vemagal, Karnataka. The facility will produce the Airbus H125 helicopter, strengthening aerospace manufacturing cooperation.

The visit comes amid broader economic engagement, including the recent signing of a landmark India-European Union free trade agreement and growing bilateral trade valued at approximately €15 billion annually. French foreign direct investment in India stands at nearly €13 billion.

Talks are also expected to touch on global economic uncertainty, China's regional influence, and the Ukraine conflict - an issue where India has maintained a neutral stance despite Western pressure over its continued purchases of Russian oil.

France has emerged as one of India's key defence and economic partners over the past decade, and officials on both sides describe the personal rapport between Modi and Macron as an added strength in advancing the strategic partnership.