French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady of France Brigitte Macron arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday for a three-day official visit to India from February 17 to 19, 2026, as reported by ANI.
The visit comes at the invitation of Narendra Modi.
During his trip, President Macron will attend the AI Impact Summit hosted by India and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi in Mumbai.
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This is Macron’s fourth visit to India and his first visit to Mumbai.
MEA’s official spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said in a post on X: “Towards a stronger strategic partnership between India and France! We warmly welcome President Emmanuel Macron from the French Republic. He was warmly received by the Governor of Maharashtra and Gujarat Acharya Devvrat at the Mumbai airport.”
“During the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with President @EmmanuelMacron. Both leaders will launch the 🇮🇳 – 🇫🇷 Year of Innovation 2026. The visit will add further impetus to the vibrant India-France strategic partnership,” Jaiswal added.
French President Emmanuel Macron (R) reacts next to his wife Brigitte Macron (R) upon their arrival in Mumbai on February 17, 2026. The French President is starting a three-day official visit to Mumbai and then New Delhi, his fourth trip to India since 2018, which will be accompanied by a series of events alongside the Indian Prime Minister. (Photo: Ludovic MARIN / AFP)(AFP)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Mumbai on Tuesday to meet Macron and the leaders will launch the Franco-French Year of Innovation 2026, according to an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Check out the full itinerary here:
An official statement said the two leaders will meet bilaterally at the Lok Bhavan in Mumbai on February 17 at around 3:15 pm. During these engagements, they will review the progress made in the strategic partnership between India and France.
Their discussion will focus on strengthening the strategic partnership and its further diversification into new and emerging areas. Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance.
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The statement added that at around 5:15 pm, the two leaders will launch the inaugural Year of Innovation 2026 in India and France and address a gathering of business leaders, start-ups, researchers and other innovators from both countries.
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Macron’s upcoming visit comes against the backdrop of an ever-deepening partnership between India and France in defence, space, civil nuclear energy, climate action, education and people-to-people exchanges.
According to the MEA, in Mumbai, the two leaders will exchange a memorandum of understanding followed by a press statement. The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel will host the Indo-French Innovation Forum, followed by the Indo-French Year of Innovation and Cultural Remembrance at the Gateway of India.
The Year of Innovation 2026 initiative will be celebrated throughout the year in both countries and aims to deepen cooperation in innovation, technology, research and people-to-people exchanges.
The visit represents a strategic partnership between India and France with a special focus on cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies.
AI Summit 2026
As New Delhi transforms into the epicenter of the world’s most serious conversation about artificial intelligence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Global AI Impact Expo.
Ahead of the summit, he welcomed delegates arriving in India and highlighted the country’s progress in science and technology, an indelible contribution to global development.
PM Modi will inaugurate the India AI Impact Expo 2026 at the Bharat Mandapam in the national capital.
An extraordinary line-up of presidents, prime ministers, crown princes and leading innovators from Silicon Valley and around the world will gather at the Bharat Mandapam as India hosts the AI Impact Summit 2026.
Taking place from February 16 to 20, the summit marks the first global AI meeting to be held in the Global South, highlighting New Delhi’s commitment to help shape an AI future that is inclusive, responsible and transformative.
At the heart of the event is India’s bold vision for a sovereign AI, highlighting its commitment to building advanced technologies that are self-sustaining, ethical and designed to deliver meaningful impact.
Key things
- The AI Impact Summit 2026 marks India’s commitment to shaping the global future of AI.
- The India-France Year of Innovation 2026 aims to strengthen cooperation in technology and research.
- Macron’s visit highlights the strengthening of strategic partnership between India and France in various sectors.