Macron’s India visit: AI summit, trade, defence talks on agenda; suspense over Rafale deal signing

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to undertake a three-day visit to India from February 17 to 19, marking another major moment in the deepening India–France Strategic Partnership. During the visit, Macron will hold high-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with discussions expected to cover trade, defence cooperation, clean energy, civil nuclear collaboration, and regional security — especially in the Indo-Pacific. Macron will also attend the AI Impact Summit and jointly inaugurate the India–France Year of Innovation in Mumbai, a key initiative aimed at boosting collaboration in technology and research throughout 2026. Defence ties are likely to be a major focus, with reports suggesting India may discuss the procurement of additional Rafale fighter jets. While it remains unclear if any major defence deal will be announced during the visit, the trip signals strong political trust and expanding strategic cooperation between the two nations.