Mumbai is set to host a landmark diplomatic encounter as Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets French President Emmanuel Macron on February 17, 2026. This high-profile meeting comes during Macron’s official three-day visit to India at Modi’s invitation, marking his fourth trip to the country and first to Mumbai.
The leaders will convene at Lok Bhawan around 3:15 PM for bilateral talks, focusing on reviewing the progress of the India-France strategic partnership. Discussions will aim to bolster ties in emerging sectors, while addressing key regional and global challenges. Their agenda underscores a commitment to diversifying collaboration beyond traditional domains.
Later that evening at 5:15 PM, Modi and Macron will jointly inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation 2026. They will address an assembly of business leaders, startups, researchers, and innovators from both nations, highlighting the year’s theme of fostering groundbreaking advancements.
The visit aligns with broader initiatives like the Horizon 2047 roadmap, emphasizing cooperation in critical areas. Topics will span Indo-Pacific dynamics, mutual interests, and technological frontiers. Macron will also participate in the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 19.
Adding to the momentum, India and France kick off the India AI Impact Expo Summit on February 16, with PM Modi inaugurating the event attended by representatives from 13 countries, including Australia, Japan, and Germany. This platform showcases global AI ecosystem partnerships.
On the same day, the sixth annual India-France Defense Dialogue in Bengaluru, co-chaired by defense ministers, will review defense cooperation, with a push for industrial partnerships. Virtually, the leaders will unveil Tata Airbus’s H125 helicopter assembly line in Vemgal, Karnataka, symbolizing deepening aerospace ties.
This series of engagements signals a robust phase in bilateral relations, poised to shape future collaborations across innovation, defense, and beyond.