French President

February 18, 2026 11:25 AM

India, France elevate ties to ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’; sign key pacts on defence, critical minerals and innovation

India and France on Tuesday elevated their bilateral relationship to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership”, marking a significant expansion of cooperation across defence, critical minerals, advanced technologies, climate action, health, education and economic security. The decision was announced following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai. Macron, who is on an official visit to India from February 17 to 19, also jointly inaugurated ...

February 17, 2026 4:24 PM

PM Modi holds bilateral talks with French President Macron in Mumbai

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...

February 17, 2026 2:14 PM

India-France strategic partnership enters a new era under Horizon 2047

As India and France approach three decades of their strategic partnership, the relationship is entering a more ambitious and future-oriented phase under the Horizon 2047 roadmap. India established diplomatic relations with France in 1947, but the defining moment came on 26 January 1998, when the two countries launched a Strategic Partnership - India’s first with a Western nation and France’s first outside the European Union. Since then, ties have steadily expanded across defence, civil nucl...

February 17, 2026 2:12 PM

India-France defence cooperation deepens with technology transfer and joint production

Defence cooperation remains one of the strongest pillars of India-France relations, increasingly marked by technology transfer, joint manufacturing and operational interoperability. A major milestone was the successful completion of the P-75 Scorpene submarine project, with the sixth submarine commissioned into the Indian Navy in January 2025. France also delivered 36 Rafale fighter jets to India by 2022, significantly enhancing India’s air power capabilities. On 28 April 2025, India and Fra...

February 17, 2026 10:22 AM

PM Modi welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron, bilateral talks and AI Impact Summit 2026 in focus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended a warm welcome to French President Emmanuel Macron on his fourth visit to India, expressing confidence that the trip will elevate the India-France strategic partnership to new heights. “Welcome to India! India looks forward to your visit and to advancing our bilateral ties to new heights. I am confident that our discussions will further strengthen cooperation across sectors and contribute to global progress,” PM Modi said in a post on X, addi...

February 17, 2026 2:11 PM

From trade to technology: Expanding economic and digital ties between India and France

India and France are rapidly expanding economic ties, with bilateral trade more than doubling over the past decade to reach €12.67 billion in 2024–25. Within the European Union, France is India’s third-largest trading partner. French cumulative investment in India stands at €9.79 billion (April 2000-March 2025), spanning services, cement, aviation, energy and manufacturing. Notably, 38 out of the 40 most prominent French companies have established operations in India. The expected Indi...

February 16, 2026 9:36 AM

PM Modi to meet French President Macron in Mumbai, inaugurate India-France Year of Innovation 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on February 17, as part of the latter’s three-day official visit to India. President Macron will be in India from February 17 to 19 at the invitation of PM Modi. During the visit, he will participate in the AI Impact Summit hosted by India and hold bilateral discussions with the Prime Minister in Mumbai. This will be Macron’s fourth visit to India and his first to Mumbai. The two leaders are scheduled to hold...

January 21, 2026 9:47 PM

Trump mocks Macron’s sunglasses in Davos speech

U.S. President Donald Trump mocked French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday for the aviator sunglasses he was wearing during his own speech at Davos the day before. "I watched him yesterday, with those beautiful sunglasses. What the hell happened?" Trump said, speaking to global elites at the annual World Economic Forum in the Swiss mountain resort. Macron's office has said the choice to wear the dark, reflective sunglasses during his speech, which took place indoors, was to protect his e...

January 20, 2026 10:53 PM

After Trump salvo, Macron says: we don’t give in to bullies

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said Europe would not give in to bullies or be intimidated, in a scathing criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose steep tariffs if Europe does not let him take over Greenland. While other European leaders have tried to keep a measured tone to prevent the trans-Atlantic dispute from escalating, Macron came out swinging. France, and Europe, will not "passively accept the law of the strongest," Macron said at the World Economic Forum...

January 19, 2026 9:34 PM

France edges towards budget deal with Socialists welcoming PM’s concessions

France was moving closer to a 2026 budget deal on Monday after the government presented a last-ditch proposal that made concessions to most political parties, senior Socialist lawmaker Boris Vallaud said, ahead of a cabinet meeting on Monday afternoon. President Emmanuel Macron's government lacks a majority in parliament and 2026 budget negotiations in the fragmented legislature have dragged on for months, forcing a rollover budget in the meantime to keep the country afloat. Needing to win sup...