French President Macron to Visit India for AI Impact Summit and Bilateral Talks

Macron's Three-Day Visit to Bolster India-France Ties

French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to undertake a three-day official visit to India from February 17 to 19, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit aims to significantly strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two nations, particularly within the framework of the Horizon 2047 Roadmap.

During his visit, President Macron will participate in the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi and engage in wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Modi. This visit follows Prime Minister Modi's trip to France in February 2025 and underscores the deep mutual trust and commitment to the India-France Strategic Partnership.

Key Engagements: AI Summit and Year of Innovation

A central component of President Macron's itinerary includes his participation in the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 19. The summit, scheduled from February 16 to 20, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, is notable as the first global AI summit to be hosted in the Global South. It is anchored on three foundational pillars: People, Planet, and Progress, aiming to transition from dialogue to demonstrable impact in AI advancements.

Before attending the summit, President Macron and Prime Minister Modi will be in Mumbai on February 17 to jointly inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation 2026. This initiative will be celebrated throughout 2026 in both countries, fostering collaboration in innovation, technology, research, and people-to-people exchanges.

Bilateral Discussions and Strategic Partnership

The bilateral talks between the two leaders are expected to cover a broad spectrum of areas, reinforcing the objectives outlined in the Horizon 2047 Roadmap. Discussions will encompass:

• Strengthening bilateral cooperation in various sectors.
• Regional and global issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
• Collaboration in critical sectors such as defence and security, emerging technologies, civil nuclear energy, space, cyber and digital, and people-to-people exchanges.

The visit is also anticipated to address potential defence deals, including discussions regarding the purchase of additional Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. This high-level engagement underscores the sustained strategic alignment and mutual commitment to deepening the multi-dimensional India-France partnership.