Narendra Modi, Emmanuel Macron to deepen strategic ties during Mumbai Summit on Feb 17

‎Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on February 17, with both leaders set to review the progress of the India-France Strategic Partnership and deliberate on pressing regional and global issues, a government release said on Monday.

‎President Macron will undertake an official visit to India from February 17 to 19 at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. During the trip, he will attend the AI Impact Summit hosted by India and participate in a bilateral summit in Mumbai. This will be Macron’s fourth visit to India and his first to the financial capital.

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‎The two leaders are scheduled to meet at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai at approximately 3:15 pm on February 17 for detailed discussions aimed at strengthening and diversifying the India-France Strategic Partnership.

‎“The leaders will review the progress made in the India-France Strategic Partnership and exchange views on issues of regional and global importance,” the official statement noted.

‎Talks are expected to cover a broad spectrum of cooperation, including defence collaboration, trade and investment, climate action, maritime security, and partnerships in digital innovation and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

‎India and France have maintained a robust and evolving strategic relationship spanning defence, civil nuclear cooperation, space exploration, and Indo-Pacific engagement. In recent years, collaboration has expanded into areas such as renewable energy, climate change mitigation, and advanced technology sectors.

‎The forthcoming discussions are seen as an opportunity to consolidate gains and explore new avenues of cooperation, particularly in innovation-driven industries.

‎Later in the evening, at around 5:15 pm, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will jointly inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation 2026. The event will convene business leaders, start-up founders, researchers, and innovators from both countries.

‎The initiative aims to foster deeper collaboration in cutting-edge domains including artificial intelligence, green technologies, digital transformation, and advanced manufacturing. The two leaders are expected to address the gathering, reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting innovation-led growth and strengthening economic ties.

‎Macron’s participation in both the AI Impact Summit and the bilateral summit highlights the growing centrality of technology and innovation in the India-France partnership, as the two nations seek to reinforce their strategic cooperation while navigating an evolving global landscape.