'Welcome to India, my dear friend': Strategic ties in focus as PM Modi hosts Macron for three-day visit

Indian PM Narendra Modi warmly welcomed Emmanuel Macron to India as the French President arrived in Mumbai for a three-day visit aimed at deepening strategic and economic ties between the two countries.

Macron’s visit marks his fourth trip to India since taking office in 2017 and comes at a time when both nations are expanding cooperation across technology, defence and trade.

MACRON IN INDIA

French President Emmanuel Macron has landed in Mumbai, India on an official visit (Feb 17-19) at the invitation of PM Narendra Modi.

We've discussed about the events during this visit in yesterday's video. Link below.https://t.co/VPSyMvZM0i https://t.co/EKtKlc3jut pic.twitter.com/EFhRrmSWbG

— India Strikes YT 🇮🇳 (@IndiaStrikes_) February 17, 2026

Taking to X, Modi wrote, “See you in Mumbai and later in Delhi, my dear friend @EmmanuelMacron,” signalling the importance of the visit and the close rapport between the two leaders. Macron responded with similar enthusiasm, posting, “En route to India! Three days from Mumbai to New Delhi to take our strategic partnership even further.” He added, “Together, we will go even further in our cooperation. See you tomorrow, my dear friend @NarendraModi.”

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The Bandra–Worli Sea Link has been specially lit up to welcome PM Modi and Emmanuel Macron to Mumbai, with decorative lighting installed to mark their arrival.

Mumbai: Bandra-Worli sea link lit up ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron#ModiMacronMeet #EmmanuelMacronInIndia pic.twitter.com/tUTCxLdA1S

— NDTV (@ndtv) February 17, 2026

Focus on AI and defence cooperation

The visit is expected to focus heavily on artificial intelligence, particularly with the ongoing AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where Macron is likely to participate. The summit is seen as a major platform to strengthen collaboration in emerging technologies and innovation between the two countries.

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Defence is another key item on the agenda, with discussions likely to include a potential multibillion-dollar deal involving Dassault Rafale fighter jets. India is expected to procure 114 additional Rafale aircraft, with most of them planned to be manufactured domestically, reflecting a push toward strengthening defence capabilities and boosting local production. Macron is accompanied by a delegation of business and industry leaders.