French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Mumbai today for a three‑day visit to India, marking his fourth trip to the country and his first to the city. He was warmly received at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Soon after arrival, Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron paid a moving tribute to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks at the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. The attacks, which claimed 166 lives and left hundreds injured, remain etched in India’s collective memory. Macron’s gesture highlighted solidarity with India and a shared commitment to fighting terrorism.
Later, at Mumbai’s Lok Bhavan, Macron met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bilateral talks. The two leaders reviewed progress under the India‑France strategic partnership and the Horizon 2047 roadmap, focusing on defence collaboration, trade, clean energy, technology, and artificial intelligence. Both emphasised the importance of innovation and research in shaping the future of the partnership.
As part of the visit, they inaugurated the India‑France Year of Innovation 2026, a programme designed to connect entrepreneurs, start-ups, researchers, and business leaders from both nations, strengthening people-to-people ties and collaborative opportunities.
Defence cooperation was a key topic, with discussions on joint projects, including aircraft, helicopters, and precision systems. Trade and technology links were also on the agenda, alongside ethical AI development.
PM Modi described Macron as a “dear friend” and expressed hope that the visit would take India‑France relations to new heights. After Mumbai, Macron will travel to New Delhi for further meetings and to participate in the India AI Impact Summit 2026, concluding his visit on 19 February 2026.
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