Macron in India for State Visit
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to host Macron for formal talks on Tuesday as both nations move to deepen their bilateral trade and defense partnership, Modi's office confirmed. The two leaders "will focus on cementing India-France strategic partnership and further diversifying it into new and emerging areas," the statement read.
Beyond bilateral affairs, Macron and Modi are expected to exchange views on issues of "regional and global importance," with the two heads of state also set to jointly inaugurate the "India-France Year of Innovation" — a landmark initiative underscoring the breadth of the two nations' collaboration.
This marks Macron's second visit to India, having last traveled to the country in 2024 as the guest of honor at India's 75th Republic Day. The French president will also travel to New Delhi later this week to attend the AI Impact Summit, hosted by India, reflecting the growing convergence of both nations on emerging technology policy.
Diplomatic ties between India and France stretch back to shortly after India's independence in 1947, and their relationship has steadily matured — with bilateral trade reaching $15 billion in 2024. Defense cooperation remains the cornerstone of that partnership. Last week, India's Defense Ministry greenlit the fresh acquisition of Rafale fighter jets from France, building on the country's initial induction of Dassault Aviation's twin-engine, multirole combat aircraft into the Indian Air Force in 2020.
Rounding out the visit, the defense chiefs of both nations are scheduled to convene their annual dialogue in the southern city of Bengaluru, where they are widely expected to renew a landmark 10-year defense pact — one that encompasses the joint manufacturing of Hammer missiles, further cementing the two countries' status as strategic defense partners.
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