New Delhi buzzed with anticipation as French President Emmanuel Macron touched down in Mumbai on Tuesday, marking the start of a pivotal three-day visit aimed at fortifying the India-France strategic partnership. Greeted warmly at the airport by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Governors of Maharashtra and Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, Macron’s arrival signals a new chapter in bilateral relations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold high-level talks with Macron later today at Mumbai’s Raj Bhavan. The agenda is packed: a comprehensive review of progress under the strategic partnership, discussions on regional and global challenges, and the grand launch of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026. This initiative promises to galvanize collaboration in cutting-edge fields like technology and research.
The Ministry of External Affairs took to X to welcome Macron, emphasizing how this visit will inject fresh momentum into the enduring alliance between the two nations. Macron himself hyped the trip on the platform before departure, noting his delegation includes top figures from business, industry, culture, and digital sectors—key players in deepening ties.
‘Together, we’ll take our cooperation to new heights. See you tomorrow, my dear friend Narendra Modi,’ Macron posted, underscoring the personal rapport that defines this partnership.
Macron’s itinerary extends beyond diplomacy. He’s in India at the invitation of the government to keynote the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 19. But first, Tuesday’s Mumbai rendezvous sets the tone. Around 3:15 PM, Modi and Macron will engage in bilateral discussions, followed by a 5:15 PM joint inauguration of the innovation year, attended by industry leaders, startup founders, researchers, and innovators from both sides.
This marks Macron’s fourth visit to India and his first official event in Mumbai. As the world grapples with geopolitical shifts, this summit of minds could redefine Indo-French collaboration in defense, trade, sustainability, and beyond, promising mutual prosperity in an interconnected era.