Mumbai (TDI): French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Mumbai on Monday night, beginning a three-day visit to India focused on artificial intelligence collaboration and a potential multibillion-dollar contract for additional Dassault Rafale fighter jets.
Macron, accompanied by his wife Brigitte, will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later on Tuesday in Mumbai before traveling to New Delhi for an AI summit on Wednesday and Thursday. The visit marks Macron’s fourth trip to India since assuming office in 2017.
France is seeking to expand its military partnership with New Delhi, with discussions expected on the procurement of up to 114 additional Rafale jets. The Indian Defense Ministry confirmed last week that the proposed purchase had been cleared, with the majority of the aircraft to be manufactured domestically.
Christophe Jaffrelot, India specialist at Sciences Po’s Center for International Studies in Paris, described the potential $35 billion contract as the “contract of the century” and a potential “crowning achievement” for bilateral ties. If finalised, the jets would supplement the 36 Rafales India purchased for its air force in 2016 and the 26 ordered for its navy. Negotiations with manufacturer Dassault Aviation are ongoing, but French officials remain optimistic about reaching what they term a “historic” agreement, according to AFP.
New Delhi’s planned purchase reflects a broader effort to diversify defense suppliers and reduce dependence on Russia, its traditional mainstay, while boosting domestic production.
Read More: India to Purchase 26 Rafale Jets from France in $7.4 Billion Deal
Macron and Modi are also set to inaugurate India’s first helicopter final assembly line via videoconference from Mumbai, a joint venture between India’s Tata Group and Airbus. The facility, located in Vemagal, Karnataka, will produce Airbus H125 helicopters, the company’s best-selling single-engine model.
The visit comes against the backdrop of global economic uncertainty, including the impact of US tariff policies under President Donald Trump, and China’s growing regional influence. Discussions are expected to focus on deepening the strategic partnership and exploring cooperation in emerging areas such as AI, defense technology, and aerospace.
Bilateral trade between France and India stands at approximately $18 billion annually, largely driven by defense and aerospace, while French foreign direct investment in India totals nearly $15 billion. Macron’s office emphasized that the visit aims to “further strengthen cooperation” and “diversify” France’s economic and trade relationships with India.
Read More: India-France strengthen strategic partnership
While personal rapport between the two leaders is reportedly strong, sensitive issues remain, including India’s ongoing purchase of Russian oil following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, a point of concern for Western partners.
