French President Emmanuel Macron has begun a three-day state visit to India, with the primary goal of strengthening strategic and economic cooperation. A key item on the agenda is advanced negotiations for the sale of 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force and additional units for the navy. Talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi also cover issues of artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, and space technology in the face of a changing world order.

Century Contract for Rafale

France and India are finalizing a deal for the supply of 114 Rafale jets, which would make India the largest foreign recipient of these aircraft in the world.

Airbus and Tata Partnership

The creation of a joint venture for the assembly of military helicopters in India was announced, supporting Prime Minister Modi's industrial policy.

AI Cooperation

President Macron will participate in a technology summit in Delhi, promoting cooperation in artificial intelligence and digital sovereignty.

President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Mumbai, beginning his fourth official visit to India, which aims to confirm the privileged status of the partnership between Paris and New Delhi. Media and expert attention is focused on the potential contract to supply 114 Rafale fighter jets, built by the Dassault Aviation conglomerate. The French side expresses great optimism about finalizing the deal, emphasizing that negotiations are progressing smoothly. This project aligns with India's Make in India strategy, suggesting that a significant portion of the production and assembly of the aircraft would take place locally, supported by technology transfer. During a joint press conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described relations with France as a partnership without limits, based on stability and progress. Beyond military aviation, the leaders discussed cooperation in the civilian sector, including joint helicopter production by Airbus SE and the Tata group. Macron, accompanied by a delegation of about a hundred business leaders, aims to diversify economic ties, particularly in nuclear energy and modern technologies. India, in turn, is seeking reliable arms suppliers to reduce its historical dependence on Russia, opening a unique market opportunity for the French defense industry. France and India have maintained close strategic relations since 1998, when Paris refused to impose sanctions on New Delhi following India's nuclear tests, which became the foundation of mutual trust. A significant element of the visit is also President Macron's participation in the artificial intelligence summit (AI Impact Summit 2026) in New Delhi. Cooperation in digital technologies is intended to help both countries build technological sovereignty. As analysts note, the tightening of Indo-French ties is occurring at a time of uncertainty regarding the trade policy of the United States under the leadership of Donald Trump. Both countries promote a vision of a multipolar world where autonomous middle powers play a key role in stabilizing the international situation. „The Indo-French partnership has no limits. It is a relationship based on trust, which serves as a pillar of stability in the changing international order.” — Narendra Modi India: Delivered (2016): 36, Ordered (2025): 26, Planned (IAF): 114, Option (Navy): 31 114 — new Rafale jets the Indian Air Force may purchase [{"dataISO": "2026-02-16", "data": "February 16", "tytul": "Arrival in Mumbai", "opis": "President Macron and his wife land in India's financial capital."}, {"dataISO": "2026-02-17", "data": "February 17", "tytul": "Bilateral Talks", "opis": "Meeting with Prime Minister Modi and announcement of Airbus-Tata cooperation."}, {"dataISO": "2026-02-18", "data": "February 18", "tytul": "AI Summit", "opis": "Participation in the global artificial intelligence summit in Delhi."}] Evolution of India-France Defense Cooperation: Main Supplier: Russian Dominance → Growing French Share; Order Model: Import of Finished Equipment → Local Production and Technology Transfer

Mentioned People

  • Narendra Modi — Prime Minister of India, host of the visit, proponent of strengthening the national defense industry.
  • Emmanuel Macron — President of France, lobbying for the sale of French military and civilian technologies.
  • Brigitte Macron — First Lady of France, accompanying her husband during the official visit.