PM Modi to Hold Bilateral Talks with French President Macron in Mumbai Ahead of AI Impact Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on Monday, 17 February 2026, in a high-profile bilateral engagement that underscores the deepening strategic partnership between India and France. President Macron arrived in India on 16 February for a three-day official visit at the invitation of the Prime Minister, during which he will also participate in the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.

The meeting in Mumbai, scheduled for the afternoon of 17 February, is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including technology, innovation, defence, climate action, clean energy and emerging technologies. The discussions will also provide an opportunity to review progress under the India-France Strategic Partnership and explore new avenues for collaboration, particularly in advanced and critical technologies.

According to official statements, the leaders will convene at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai for their bilateral talks, where they are expected to discuss issues of regional and global importance. These include geopolitical developments, cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and joint efforts toward promoting stability, security and sustainable development. Experts say this visit highlights the broad and evolving nature of India–France ties, which have matured into a robust and multi-faceted partnership over the past two decades.

Following the bilateral meeting, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 — a year-long celebration aimed at deepening scientific, technological and cultural cooperation between the two nations. The event is slated to bring together business leaders, innovators, researchers and startups from India and France to foster collaborative ventures and forge stronger people-to-people and institutional ties.

The India-France Year of Innovation has been conceived as a platform for sustained engagement in research and technology. It builds on the framework of the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, a long-term strategic blueprint agreed upon by both countries to expand cooperation in priority areas such as defence, space, civil nuclear energy, technology transfer, and joint innovation initiatives. The roadmap outlines a vision for bilateral cooperation spanning the next 25 years.

President Macron’s visit to India comes at a time of growing cooperation between the two countries in artificial intelligence and digital governance. He is expected to participate in sessions at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, which runs from 16–20 February in New Delhi. The summit has attracted prominent global technology leaders — including CEOs of major tech firms — and is one of the most significant global AI gatherings hosted in the Global South.

The summit, organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the IndiaAI Mission, brings together top minds from government, industry, academia and civil society to discuss responsible and inclusive use of artificial intelligence. The theme focuses on collaborative innovation and sustainable development, with sessions addressing AI governance, ethics, public-good applications and scalable solutions for societal challenges.

Security preparations in Mumbai for the Prime Minister’s meetings are already under way. The Mumbai Traffic Police have issued advisories and traffic restrictions on key roads, including the Western Express Highway, expected to be in force on 17 February to ensure smooth transit for the visiting dignitaries. Heavy motor vehicles will be restricted on key stretches during the day as part of heightened security arrangements.

Observers note that Macron’s visit follows a series of high-level exchanges between India and France over recent years, further cementing bilateral cooperation. Last year, the two leaders reaffirmed their strategic partnership during talks in Paris, where they reviewed collaboration in defence, technology and innovation. Today’s engagements in Mumbai and New Delhi are seen as reinforcing the momentum in these ties.

The visit also occurs amid expanding defence cooperation, with discussions reportedly on the agenda to boost joint production and technology partnerships in aerospace and defence sectors. Analysts say the India–France defence relationship, anchored in joint exercises and co-development projects, remains a cornerstone of the strategic partnership.

As the two leaders meet in Mumbai and travel to New Delhi for the AI summit, their engagements are expected to pave the way for deeper collaboration in technology, innovation, climate action and defence, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing India–France relations well into the future.