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French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in India on February 17, 2026, for a three-day state visit aimed at expanding defense, economic, and technological cooperation between the two countries.

Macron arrived in Mumbai at night and began his visit by honoring the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and meeting Bollywood figures before holding discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

During a news conference with Modi, Macron emphasized that France and India do not want to “submit to any form of hegemony” and reaffirmed their commitment to international law and norms. “We believe thirdly, in a free and open Indo-Pacific, in cooperation in defense technology and trade, and in the determination not to submit to any form of hegemony,” he said.

The French president highlighted the importance of strategic autonomy, stressing that both nations aim not to be drawn into the conflicts of a few but instead pursue “an open and clear-eyed partnership approach.”

Macron, who is on his fourth visit to India since taking office in 2017, is accompanied by his wife, Brigitte Macron. The visit aims to diversify France’s economic and trade partnerships and reinforce defense and strategic ties in Asia, extending cooperation beyond traditional partners such as the United States and China.

J’ai eu des entretiens approfondis avec le Président Macron à Mumbai. La réunion d’aujourd’hui revêt une importance particulière puisque nous avons élevé la relation Inde-France au rang de Partenariat stratégique global spécial. Notre partenariat est au service de la stabilité et… pic.twitter.com/WKy1Y3o6Xn

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 17, 2026

Strategic Partnership

Following the talks, Modi announced that India and France would elevate their relationship to a “special global strategic partnership.” Modi described the partnership as a step toward closer strategic, economic, and technological collaboration.

“This partnership is not just strategic. In today’s turbulent era, this is a partnership of global stability and global progress,” he said. Modi also highlighted that India and France would manufacture “the only helicopter in the world to fly to the heights of Mount Everest” in India.

Both leaders emphasized shared democratic values, respect for the rule of law, and support for a multipolar world. They pledged to work through international institutions to address global challenges, including peace efforts in Ukraine, West Asia, and the Indo-Pacific, and to promote stability and prosperity through multilateralism, dialogue, and diplomacy.

The leaders also discussed sensitive global issues, including Ukraine. While India has not condemned Russia’s 2022 invasion and continues to purchase Russian oil, Macron urged support for “an immediate and lasting moratorium on attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure” as Russian and Ukrainian negotiators resumed US-brokered talks in Geneva.

Defense Cooperation at the Forefront

Defense remains a central pillar of the bilateral relationship. The Indian Defense Ministry recently cleared the acquisition of 114 additional Rafale fighter jets from French manufacturer Dassault Aviation in a deal estimated at around $35 billion.

Christophe Jaffrelot, an India specialist at Sciences Po, described the potential deal as the “contract of the century.” The majority of the jets are expected to be manufactured in India, adding to the 62 Rafales already acquired.

The leaders also virtually inaugurated a helicopter assembly line in Vemagal, Karnataka, through a joint venture between India’s Tata Group and Airbus to manufacture the Airbus H125, the company’s best-selling single-engine helicopter.

The two nations signed a memorandum of understanding for the production of Hammer missiles in India and agreed on the reciprocal deployment of officers at the Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments. The 10-year defense cooperation agreement between the countries was renewed during the visit.

India recently announced a 15 percent increase in military spending to $83 billion, reinforcing its position as a key market for French defense firms. French President Macron’s visit comes as India continues to strengthen its strategic and defense ties amid a shifting international order.

Economic and Technological Collaboration

Beyond defense, the talks covered trade, investment, joint manufacturing, critical minerals supply chains, research and development, and education. India and France announced 21 key outcomes from the discussions, aiming to deepen economic cooperation and innovation partnerships. Macron emphasized that both countries believe in international trade and reject coercive methods.

The French leader will travel to New Delhi to participate in the AI Impact Summit 2026, hosted by PM Modi, reflecting a shared interest in technology and innovation. Macron noted that the Franco-Indian relationship is experiencing “remarkable acceleration” in response to changes in the international order.

Both leaders described the India-France relationship as a “force for global stability” in an uncertain world. “The India-France partnership knows no boundaries; it can reach from deep oceans to the tallest mountain,” Modi said. Macron echoed this sentiment, emphasizing a shared commitment to strategic autonomy, multilateralism, and global cooperation.

The visit highlights the growing importance of the bilateral relationship, which has seen defense, trade, and technological ties deepen in recent years. India and France have maintained diplomatic relations since 1947, and bilateral trade reached $15 billion in 2024.

After the talks and press statements at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai, President Macron and I are on the way to the other programmes, which include the India-France Innovation Forum.@EmmanuelMacron pic.twitter.com/v2PKPEgP1o

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 17, 2026