PM Modi and French President Macron hold bilateral meet in Mumbai, discuss key issues to strengthen Indo-French relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron hold a delegation-level bilateral meeting in Mumbai to discuss key issues of mutual interest and strengthen Indo-French relations. The two leaders also held delegation-level talks at the Lok Bhavan in the city, to boost ties in key sectors such as trade, defence, energy, and critical technologies.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds delegation-level talks with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Lok Bhavan in Mumbai

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(Source: DD/ANI) pic.twitter.com/1zEltBFxRb

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— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2026

PM Modi and French President Macron also virtually unveiled the H125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly of Tata Airbus at Vemagal, Karnataka. While PM Modi and Macron did the inauguration digitally from Mumbai, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin were physically present at the inaugural ceremony in Vemagal. 

#WATCH | Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron virtually inaugurate the H125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly of Tata Airbus at Vemagal, Karnataka.

(Source: DD/ANI) pic.twitter.com/MDONC4P2PR

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2026

When PM Modi met Macron at the Lok Bhavan in Mumbai, the two leaders shared a warm hug and exchanged greetings. Expressing the pleasure on meeting his ‘friend Macron’, PM Modi said that the French President really loves the city and also enjoyed his run earlier today. 

Watch | Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at Lok Bhavan, Mumbai. @PMOIndia | @narendramodi | @EmmanuelMacron | @MEAIndia | @FranceinIndia | #PMModi | #NarendraModi | #Mumbai | #LokBhavan | #Maharashtra | #EmmanuelMacron |… pic.twitter.com/9Mr1KrDEFq

— United News of India (@uniindianews) February 17, 2026

After the bilateral meet, the French President met personalities from the arts and culture world, including Bollywood personalities Shabana Azmi, Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee, Zoya Akhtar, Richa Chadha, and Grammy-winning music composer Ricky Kej, during his ongoing visit to Mumbai.

Macron also paid tribute to the victims of the 2008 attacks at the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai. He posted on the social media platform X: “To their families and loved ones, and to India: France stands with you. In the face of terrorism, unity and determination.”

| French President @EmmanuelMacron and First Lady Brigitte Macron paid tribute to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks on Tuesday during his India visit. #EmmanuelMacron #MumbaiTerrorAttack #India #France #TheStatesman pic.twitter.com/32oq8dKOay

— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) February 17, 2026

Earlier today, PM Modi welcomed Macron on his fourth visit to India and said he looked forward to further strengthening cooperation across sectors and advancing bilateral ties to new heights.

Bienvenue en Inde !

L’Inde se félicite de votre visite et entend donner un nouvel élan à notre partenariat stratégique. Je suis convaincu que nos discussions renforceront davantage la coopération dans divers secteurs et contribueront au progrès mondial.

À très bientôt à Mumbai,… https://t.co/5gDTDt6llp

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 17, 2026

French President Emmanuel Macron is on an official visit to India, at the invitation of PM Modi. He landed in Mumbai last night on a three-day visit from 17-19 February. He was received by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Mumbai airport.

Warmly welcomed Hon’ble President of France, H.E. Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron on their arrival in Mumbai last night. Along with Hon’ble Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat Ji, CM Devendra Fadnavis Ji and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde Ji, it was an honour to receive… pic.twitter.com/WAjx0gLNo7

— Sunetra Ajit Pawar (@SunetraA_Pawar) February 17, 2026