Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron at Maharashtra Lok Bhavan in Mumbai.
The two leaders shared a warm embrace before beginning their discussions at Lok Bhavan, underscoring the close personal rapport and strategic depth of India-France ties.
After the meeting, PM Modi said, “It’s a delight to meet my friend, President Macron in Mumbai! He told me he really likes the city and also enjoyed his run earlier in the day!”
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the India-France ties as a “beautiful partnership,” highlighting the wide-ranging cooperation between the two nations. He said the leaders would launch the “Year of Innovation 2026,” aimed at deepening collaboration in emerging technologies and research.
“There’s so much happening between India and France – in digital technology, innovation, student mobility, culture, defence, security and green pathways. All these issues will come up for discussion,” Jaiswal noted.
Following their engagements in Mumbai, the two leaders are scheduled to travel to New Delhi to attend the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam. The summit, anchored in the pillars of People, Planet, and Progress, is the first global AI event hosted in the Global South.
Macron’s participation in the summit builds on the momentum from February 2025, when PM Modi co-chaired the AI Action Summit with him in Paris, reinforcing Franco-Indian cooperation in advanced technologies.
President Macron arrived in Mumbai late Monday evening and was received at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar were also present.
Welcoming Macron to India, PM Modi earlier posted on X that he was confident the visit would “advance our bilateral ties to new heights” and further strengthen cooperation across sectors while contributing to global progress.
Earlier today, Macron surprised Mumbaikars by joining local residents for a jog, accompanied by security personnel. Wearing a navy blue T-shirt and sunglasses, he maintained his fitness routine ahead of a packed diplomatic schedule.
Thereafter, President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron paid tribute to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
(With ANI inputs)
