French President Emmanuel Macron will visit India next week, will meet with PM Modi

New Delhi: The Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that French President Emmanuel Macron will be on a three-day visit to India from February 17. During this official visit, Macron will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Ministry of External Affairs said that the two leaders will discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields. Apart from this he will participate in AI Impact Summit.

Additionally, the two leaders will discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in the Inland Pacific region. Prime Minister Modi and Macron will be present in Mumbai to jointly inaugurate the ‘India-France Year of Innovation’, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Horizon 2047 roadmap will be discussed

“The two leaders will discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas set out in the ‘Horizon 2047 Roadmap’,” the Foreign Ministry said in announcing the French leader’s visit. The ‘Horizon Roadmap’ was unveiled after wide-ranging talks between Modi and Macron in Paris in July 2023. It aims to strengthen bilateral relations including trade and investment.

“This visit follows Prime Minister Modi’s visit to France in February 2025 and reflects the mutual trust and depth of the India-France strategic partnership as well as the shared commitment of both countries to further deepen it,” the Ministry of External Affairs said. The bilateral Innovation Year will focus on joint programs related to innovation in various sectors including culture, trade and technology.

Defense deal may be discussed

Another important aspect of Macron’s visit is that the proposal to purchase 114 more Rafale fighter aircraft by the Indian Air Force is likely to be placed before the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) before the arrival of the French President. This defense project, costing more than Rs 2 lakh crore, requires that more than 60% of the components of the fighter aircraft be manufactured in India. If approved, it will significantly increase the Indian Air Force’s existing fleet of 36 Rafale aircraft and 26 more aircraft ordered by the Navy.

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