New Delhi witnessed a touching display of affection from French President Emmanuel Macron during his ongoing visit to India. At the India AI Impact Summit on Thursday, Macron not only graced the inauguration but also toured the expo. Spotting an IANS camera, he approached with a broad smile and declared, ‘I love your country,’ in a spontaneous gesture that captured hearts.
This isn’t the first time Macron has openly expressed his admiration for India. Arriving in Mumbai from Delhi the previous day amid drizzling rain, he stood at the airport, hands folded in namaste, thanking folk artists for their vibrant performance. Earlier in Mumbai, he was seen jogging and warmly greeting locals, showcasing his down-to-earth style.
Taking the stage at the AI summit, Macron opened with a resounding ‘Namaste’ and closed with ‘Jai Ho.’ He lavished praise on India’s digital revolution, stating that no other nation has achieved what India has. Using the story of a Mumbai street vendor, he illustrated India’s cultural depth and technological leap. ‘Ten years ago, this vendor couldn’t open a bank account without an address or ID. Today, he receives instant, free digital payments from anywhere via his phone,’ Macron said. ‘This is not just technology; it’s a story of civilization.’
Highlighting the growing India-France partnership, Macron noted how AI has become a strategic battleground, yet India leads with innovation and self-reliance. By developing small, task-specific language models and deploying 38,000 government-funded GPUs at affordable rates for startups, India is forging its sovereign path in AI.
Macron circled back to the street vendor tale, emphasizing how India defied global skepticism about digitizing 1.4 billion people. His visit coincides with preparations for the 2026 India-France Innovation Year, a year-long initiative focused on AI collaboration, research, and ethical AI development. As Macron’s tour continues, his words resonate as a testament to deepening bilateral ties and India’s global rise.