French President Emmanuel Macron will visit India from February 17–19, 2026, to participate in the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit underscores deepening India–France cooperation in defense, technology, and clean energy, while highlighting joint leadership in global AI governance.
The Government of India has confirmed the official visit of French President Emmanuel Macron from February 17–19, 2026. The visit will include participation in the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, marking the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South. Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to co-chair sessions, building on their earlier collaboration at the Paris AI Summit.
Beyond technology, the visit will focus on strengthening India–France strategic ties, with discussions on defense cooperation, renewable energy, and trade. France has been a long-standing partner in India’s defense modernization, including collaborations on fighter jets, naval projects, and space technology. The AI Impact Summit is expected to showcase joint initiatives in ethical AI, cybersecurity, and innovation ecosystems.
Analysts note that Macron’s visit comes at a crucial time when India is positioning itself as a global hub for responsible AI development. The partnership with France is seen as vital for balancing innovation with regulation, ensuring AI benefits are shared equitably across nations.
Key Highlights
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Official Visit: Macron in India from Feb 17–19, 2026.
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AI Impact Summit: First global AI summit in the Global South, hosted in New Delhi.
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Strategic Talks: Focus on defense, clean energy, and trade expansion.
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Global AI Leadership: India–France collaboration on ethical AI and cybersecurity.
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Diplomatic Context: Builds on Paris AI Summit and strengthens bilateral ties.
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Future Outlook: Partnership expected to drive innovation and reinforce India’s global AI role.
Sources: Economic Times – Macron’s India Visit & AI Summit; DD News – AI Impact Summit Announcement; Republic World – India–France Strategic Cooperation