French President Emmanuel Macron is set to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai today, kicking off a three-day visit to India with a focus on enhancing cooperation in artificial intelligence and possibly sealing a multibillion-dollar fighter jet deal.
France aims to bolster its military ties with New Delhi, with talks slated to cover a potential agreement for an additional 114 French Dassault Rafale fighter jets.
Modi, welcoming Macron and his wife Brigitte to India’s financial hub, expressed anticipation for advancing bilateral relations to new heights in a social media message to his “dear friend” Macron.
Scheduled to meet later in the day, Modi voiced confidence that their discussions would further fortify collaboration between the two nations.
Embarking on his fourth visit to India since assuming office in 2017, Macron’s itinerary includes paying tribute to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai attacks and engaging with Bollywood luminaries such as Shabana Azmi and Manoj Bajpayee.
In a social media post, Macron reciprocated Modi’s sentiment by referring to him as his “dear friend” and indicating a commitment to deepen cooperation.
The visit follows India’s recent confirmation of its intent to procure Rafale jets and the landmark free trade deal inked with the European Union in January.
Macron is slated to head to New Delhi for an artificial intelligence summit later in the week.
New Delhi has been striving to reduce its reliance on Russia for military supplies over the past decade, with the proposed Rafale deal, valued at around €30 billion ($35 billion), considered a significant milestone.
The potential agreement for 114 Rafales, which could supplement the 62 already acquired by India, has been hailed as the “contract of the century” by experts.
Both leaders are set to virtually inaugurate India’s inaugural helicopter final assembly line, a collaborative effort between India’s Tata Group and Airbus, in Karnataka.
France has emerged as a vital defense and economic partner for India, with efforts to strengthen cooperation and diversify trade relationships on the agenda during Macron’s visit.
The discussions are also expected to touch upon global economic uncertainties linked to US tariff policies and China’s regional influence.
Bilateral trade between France and India, primarily driven by defense and aerospace, amounts to approximately €15 billion ($18 billion) annually, with French direct investments in India reaching close to €13 billion ($15 billion).
The personal rapport between Modi and Macron is deemed crucial, with both leaders keen on nurturing their close ties.
While various economic and strategic issues are on the table, India’s stance on Russia’s actions in Ukraine remains a sensitive topic, particularly in light of Trump’s remarks on halting oil purchases from Moscow.
