MUMBAI – French President Emmanuel Macron turned heads during his India visit by rubbing shoulders with Bollywood’s finest in Mumbai. In a star-studded gathering, he met veteran actor Manoj Bajpayee, Anil Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, actress Richa Chadha, and filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, among others.
Macron shared snapshots of the encounter on X, captioning them: ‘With Indian cinema legends, culture unites us.’ This warm interaction underscores the deepening cultural ties between India and France, complementing their robust strategic partnership.
Earlier, Macron held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Raj Bhavan, flanked by Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and top officials. The leaders exchanged hearty greetings before diving into discussions.
PM Modi posted on X: ‘Delighted to meet my friend President Macron in Mumbai. He loves this city and enjoyed a morning run.’ Macron’s tour kicked off with a poignant tribute at the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack memorial alongside his wife.
The visit heralds the launch of ‘India-France Year of Innovation 2026.’ Expectations are high for breakthroughs in defense, technology, innovation, and culture. At Mumbai airport, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Governor Acharya Devvrat extended a grand welcome.
Modi hailed the trip as pivotal for elevating India-France collaboration to new heights, fostering global progress. As Macron’s stay blends diplomacy with cultural flair, it signals a vibrant chapter in bilateral relations.