Macron confirms India visit next month as Paris–Delhi alliance shifts focus to AI and rare earths

French President Emmanuel Macron says his India visit will build on a joint AI governance pact and expand cooperation in strategic sectors, including rare earth minerals.

• Macron to visit India next month for AI and strategic cooperation talks
• India to host AI Impact Summit 2026, first global AI summit in the Global South
• France and India to broaden partnership to tech and rare earth minerals

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French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that he will visit India next month to advance a joint India–France agenda on artificial intelligence and strategic cooperation, with New Delhi set to host the AI Impact Summit.

Speaking to the diplomatic corps, Macron said the visit would follow up on the AI summit held in Paris last year, which he co-chaired with Narendra Modi. His remarks were reported by France 24.

“Next month, I am going to India to follow up on the efforts,” Macron said, adding that the two countries had created an international agreement on AI governance that balances innovation with fair regulation.

AI Impact Summit shifts focus to Global South

The India-hosted AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for February 19–20 in New Delhi, was announced by Modi at the France AI Action Summit. It will be the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South, positioning India as a key player in shaping international AI norms.

Macron described the Paris AI summit as a diplomatic success that drew global participation and said the follow-up in India would strengthen multilateral cooperation on emerging technologies.

Strategic partnership and rare earth minerals

Beyond AI, Macron said France would continue to strengthen its strategic partnership with India in February, including cooperation on rare earth minerals, a sector that has gained geopolitical importance as countries seek to diversify supply chains critical for clean energy and advanced manufacturing.

This marks a shift from largely defence-led India–France ties to a broader technology-and-resources partnership.

Multilateral alignment

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar earlier confirmed that India was preparing for Macron’s visit, highlighting the two countries’ alignment across global forums such as BRICS, the G7 and the G20.

“As two nations committed to multipolarity, working together is important not only for ourselves but also for stabilising global politics,” Jaishankar said.