Mumbai, Feb 17: French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in India on Tuesday morning on a three-day visit to the nation to participate in the AI Impact Summit in the national capital, as well as hold a bilateral summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai. This is President Macron’s fourth visit to India and first to Mumbai.
Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accorded a warm welcome to the French leader upon his arrival at the Mumbai airport.
“Bienvenue à Mumbai! A very warm welcome to the President of France, H.E. Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron as they arrive in Mumbai! Maharashtra welcomes you! Wishing Hon President Macron and the entire French delegation a pleasant stay and a successful visit,” Fadnavis posted on X around 2 am, shortly after Macron landed in Mumbai. Deputy chief ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar were also present to greet Macron.
Welcoming the French President, the Ministry of External Affairs took to X, stating, “The visit will impart further momentum to the vibrant India–France strategic partnership.”
President Macron is scheduled to meet PM Modi later today in Mumbai, where the two leaders will review the progress made in the India-France strategic partnership.
As he boarded the flight for India, the President had posted on social media that Modi and Macron’s discussions will focus on cementing the strategic ties and further diversifying them into new and emerging areas.
“En route to India! Three days from Mumbai to New Delhi to take our strategic partnership even further. On board with me: business leaders and the economic, industrial, cultural and digital players who give real, tangible life to the ties between India and France. Together, we will go even further in our cooperation,” he said in a post on X.
“See you tomorrow, my dear friend @NarendraModi!” Modi and Macron’s discussions will focus on cementing the strategic ties and further diversifying them into new and emerging areas,” Macron added.
Both the leaders will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance. President Macron is on an official visit to India from February 17 to 19 at the invitation of PM Modi to participate in the AI Impact Summit hosted by India, as well as hold a bilateral summit with the latter in Mumbai.
Tuesday afternoon, Macron and Modi will hold bilateral engagements at Lok Bhavan in South Mumbai. Later, they will inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 and address a gathering of business leaders, start-ups, researchers and other innovators from both countries.
