At a time when the world is going through a phase of uncertainty, the Indo-French partnership is a force for stability, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Mumbai on Tuesday (February 17, 2026).

He was addressing a joint press briefing with French President Emmanuel Macron at Lok Bhavan. Mr. Macron emphasised the importance of mutual partnership to fight hegemony. Terming France as one of the oldest strategic partners of India, PM Modi called the relationship ‘very special’.

The two leaders held bilateral discussions, signed MoUs and virtually inaugurated the Airbus H125 helicopter assembly line at Bengaluru from Lok Bhavan. Earlier in the day, Mr. Macron surprised Mumbaikars by going on a jog for several kilometres along South Mumbai’s promenade – Marine Drive. He thereafter paid tributes to the victims of the 26/11 terror attack of 2008 at the Taj Mahal Palace. He then had a cinema-themed lunch with a few film personalities.

While addressing the joint press briefing with PM Modi, Mr. Macron emphasised on the collaboration in defence, nuclear power, technology transfer, student exchange, and research.

Mr. Modi announced the launch of three centres — Indo-French Centre for AI in Health, Indo-French Centre for Digital Science and Technology, and National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics. “These are not just institutions, but future-building platforms,” PM Modi said.

Turning point

He termed the year 2026 a turning point in Indo-European relationship, adding that the biggest and most ambitious Free Trade Agreement in India’s history was signed with the EU a few days ago. Mr. Macron too spoke of the significance of the Indo-EU FTA.

After the virtual inauguration of the Airbus H125 helicopter assembly line at Bengaluru, the PM said he was proud that India and France would together manufacture and export the world’s only helicopter which flies up to the height of Mount Everest.

Special global strategic partnership between India and France: Macron

Mr. Macron said that this is a “special global strategic partnership between India and France”. He said that it isn’t just strategic, but also for global progress.

“Helicopter assembly line inauguration showcases our deep relationship. We will together manufacture a helicopter flying to Mt Everest. India-France relationship knows no boundaries. It can reach the depths of the ocean and the heights of the skies,” he said.

Saying that India and France’s partnership is one of “shared prosperity”, Mr. Macron said that, “2026 is a turning point in our relationship. We are making agreements to make sure that trade, investment and mobility are increased. This is shared prosperity. Strategic partnership to turn to partnership of people. This will be through the collaboration of people. May it be defence, clean energy.”

“We will launch an Indo-French centre for AI in health, for digital science technology, steel, and aeronautics. These are future building platforms,” he added.

“The world is going through uncertainty and turmoil. We are developing trusted technology. IMEC, joint development project. Both countries believe in a multilateral world,” he said.

“Our SMEs and startups, too, have a new goal. Rafale, submarines, and helicopters’ assembly line in collaboration with Tatas or the 5th generation engines. We are working together with India,” he said.

Regarding nuclear power, Mr. Macron said that “whether it is the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project or any other projects, we will support India”. “We will find a new way which is against hegemony,” he said.

He also said, “We are trusted partners in creating a High speed rail network.”

“The talks we have had are very ambitious. There should be more technology transfer. We want all related industries to work together,” he added.

Regarding the 2027 horizon roadmap, he said, “In new technology and innovation, our goals are aligned. Students and researchers’ exchange will be smoother. New centres of joint innovation will be opened. In Delhi, I am going to attend a meeting with all the top academics,” he said.

Welcoming the Indo-EU FTA, Mr. Macron said, “Till a few years ago, our relations weren’t developing rapidly. But we are identifying ways in which we can develop our ties rapidly,” he said.

“Our belief system is synchronous. We welcome the Indo-EU FTA. We want to walk together. We want to give a model to the world about how to work together. AI should respect each other and the diversity. The algorithms should be transparent,” the French President said.

Condemning terrorism, he said, “As per the charter of U.N., we condemn terror and terror organisations.”

“France is chairing G7, like India is chairing BRICS. That is why I have invited Mr Modi. The youth of India and scientists should come together. We want to better our relationship, particularly in trade,” he said.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi on Tuesday (February 17) held wide-ranging talks with French President Emmanuel Macron to boost ties in key sectors such as trade, defence, energy and critical technologies.

Mr. Macron landed in Mumbai early this morning on a three-day visit to attend the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi and meet PM Modi.

The French President’s visit comes days after India cleared a long-pending proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets under a government-to-government framework with France.

It has been billed as one of the world’s biggest military procurement programmes in recent years.

It is learnt that shoring up defence cooperation and enhancing bilateral engagement in the critical technology sector are priority areas to take forward the ties.

“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 on social media earlier in the day in response to a post by Mr. Macron.

(with inputs from PTI)

Published – February 17, 2026 05:23 pm IST

On the third and final day of his France visit on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi visited the historic Mazargues Cemetery in Marseille with French President Emmanuel Macron and paid tribute to Indian soldiers who fought in World War I and World War II, many of whom are cremated there. 

Noting that freedom fighter Veer Savarkar attempted a “courageous escape” in Marseille, PM Modi wrote on X,  “In India’s quest for freedom, this city holds special significance. It was here that the great Veer Savarkar attempted a courageous escape. I also want to thank the people of Marseille and the French activists of that time who demanded that he not be handed over to British custody. The bravery of Veer Savarkar continues to inspire generations!”.

Savarkar had attempted his escape on July 8, 1910, from HMS Morea, by slipping through a porthole and swimming ashore. He was captured by French authorities and handed back to officials on the ship. 

PM Modi also inaugurated the Indian Consulate in Marseille and said that it will deepen ties between the two countries. “President Macron and I reached Marseille a short while ago. This visit will witness important programmes aimed at further connecting India and France. The Indian consulate which is being inaugurated will deepen people-to-people linkages. I will also pay homage to the Indian soldiers martyred in the First and Second World Wars,” the PM wrote earlier in the day.

Prime Minister Modi received a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora at a hotel in Marseille. “We have been staying here for the past 4 years…I met PM Modi now…he was very happy to meet us and we also felt really happy,” Priyanka Sharma, a member of the diaspora, told news agency ANI.

Apart from visiting a logistics centre, PM Modi and Mr Macron will also take a tour of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project in Cadarache in southern France. India has committed Rs 17,500 crore, which is about 10% of the project’s cost. India has also contributed the biggest component in the project – the world’s largest refrigerator that houses this unique reactor.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron, and World Bank President Ajay Banga could be seen sharing a light moment on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Monday (Nov 19). In a video posted on Mr Macron’s official X account, the French president is seen greeting PM Modi with a hug and exchanging pleasantries as Mr Banga chimes in with his oneliner, evoking laughter from two of the most powerful leaders of the planet.

In the clip, Mr Banga approaches the duo before turning to PM Modi and saying: “He [Macron] is going from one Indian to another”, evoking laughter from the two leaders. “He’s always there,” PM Modi could be heard replying.

Meanwhile, President Macron captioned the post as saying: “It is always a pleasure to meet with Prime Minister @NarendraModi, as our partnership with India is both rich and multifaced. We reviewed the progress on the initiatives launched during my State visit last January, as well as key international issues.”

It is always a pleasure to meet with Prime Minister @NarendraModi, as our partnership with India is both rich and multifaced.

We reviewed the progress on the initiatives launched during my State visit last January, as well as key international issues. pic.twitter.com/WSatqfqout

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 19, 2024

Who is Mr Banga?

Mr Banga is an Indian-born American business executive who has been serving as the chief of the World Bank since last year. Previously, he acted as the executive chairman of Mastercard from July 2010 to December 2020, holding president and CEO titles in between.

Also Read | PM Modi Meets Italy’s Giorgia Meloni In Brazil, Holds Bilateral Talks

Bilateral meeting

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed ways to increase cooperation in space, energy, and AI. PM Modi also took to social media and congratulated Mr Macron for the successful hosting of the Olympics and Paralympics earlier this year.

“It is always a matter of immense joy to meet my friend, President Emmanuel Macron. Complimented him on the successful hosting of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics earlier this year,” PM Modi posted on X.

“We talked about how India and France will keep working closely in sectors like space, energy, AI, and other such futuristic areas. Our nations will also work closely to enhance people-to-people linkages.”

It is always a matter of immense joy to meet my friend, President Emmanuel Macron. Complimented him on the successful hosting of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics earlier this year. We talked about how India and France will keep working closely in sectors like space, energy, AI… pic.twitter.com/6aNxRtG8yP

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 18, 2024

Apart from Mr Macron, PM Modi also bet Italian PM Giorgia Meloni and UK PM Keir Starmer on the sidelines in Rio. 

New Delhi:

The India-France partnership is “universal” as it goes from the “sea to the space”, France’s Ambassador-designate to New Delhi Thierry Mathou said on Monday, vowing to work towards further strengthening it.

Thierry Mathou’s comments came shortly after he arrived in New Delhi. He succeeds incumbent Emmanuel Lenain.

In his arrival message, Thierry Mathou also quoted 19th-century French historian Jules Michelet who described India as “the matrix of the world”.

“I am taking office at an exceptional time. This year is not only an opportunity to celebrate the length and depth of the relationship between our two nations.

“It is also the moment that has been chosen to look towards the future by setting the course of our partnership for the next 25 years up to 2047 which will celebrate the centenary of India’s independence and of the diplomatic relations between France and India,” Thierry Mathou said.

He also hailed India’s approach of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — One Earth, One Family, One Future” during its G20 presidency.

“I want to tell you how happy and proud I am to be in India, a country I have been visiting so many times since my first trip here more than 40 years ago, a country once described by Jules Michelet, a famous French historian from the 19th Century as “the matrix of the world,” he said.

“It is exactly how I feel about India and why it was so obvious for France to embrace the concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ — One Earth, One Family, One Future- proposed by India as the outlook of the recent G20 Summit,” he said.

The French Ambassador-designate said the Summit gave an opportunity to “our leaders” to assess and review the progress in bilateral relations since the historic visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Paris last July as the Guest of Honour of the French National Day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held a bilateral meeting on July 10 on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi.

Thierry Mathou said his role is now to implement with “determination and ambition” the roadmap adopted by the leadership of the two countries to strengthen the partnership.

The roadmap is structured around three pillars, he said, explaining that it is a “partnership for security and sovereignty” which has a particular meaning with France and India being two major stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific region.

Thierry Mathou said it is also a partnership for the planet and global issues which is essential to meet the challenges of climate change, and a partnership for the people.

“I look forward to working with Indian authorities and civil society to translate the vision of our leaders into action and further promote our shared values of liberty, equality and democracy,” Thierry Mathou said.

“Our partnership is strategic. I also like to describe it as universal as it goes from the sea to space! I am thrilled to embark on this journey with all of you,” he added.

The ambassador-designate said the roadmap adopted by the leaders of the two countries is very concrete as it is intended to translate into numerous programmes and projects.

He said the roadmap will result in training new generations of Indian students in France, create tens of thousands of new jobs in India where French companies are already very active and fully committed to the Make in India motto and bring together the scientists and engineers of the two sides to advance research and technology in all fields.

Thierry Mathou said India has so much to offer to the world including contributing to peace, security and development in the region. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)