Mumbai has been transformed into a vibrant display of international diplomacy, with posters and banners welcoming French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. The visual tribute coincides with their high-profile visit to India from February 16 to 19, covering both the financial and national capitals.

President Macron arrives in Mumbai today for his fourth visit to India, invited by PM Narendra Modi, reflecting the steady momentum in the India-France strategic partnership, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies. According to the French Embassy, the visit marks another important chapter in the deepening ties between New Delhi and Paris, which span defence, space, civil nuclear energy, climate action, and education.

Macron’s engagement builds on his previous visits, including his first trip in 2018, attendance at the 2023 G20 Summit, and his 2024 State Visit as the Chief Guest for India’s 75th Republic Day. During that milestone, the two leaders declared 2026 as the India-France Year of Innovation, which they will formally inaugurate in Mumbai during this visit.

On February 17, PM Modi and President Macron will hold extensive discussions in Mumbai to advance bilateral cooperation under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, a long-term vision stemming from India’s first Strategic Partnership with France in 1998. They will also discuss regional and global issues, including Indo-Pacific cooperation, highlighting growing strategic alignment.

After Mumbai, the delegation will travel to Delhi for the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam from February 16 to 20. This is the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South. President Macron’s participation underscores the shared emphasis on emerging technologies, building on the AI Action Summit co-chaired by Modi and Macron in Paris in February 2025.

The five-day summit is structured around three pillars—People, Planet, and Progress—and seeks to move discussions on AI governance from rhetoric to actionable outcomes. It will convene global leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore AI’s role in governance and sustainable development. Complementing the summit, the India AI Impact Expo will cover 70,000 square metres with over 300 exhibitors from 30 countries across 10 thematic pavilions, showcasing AI’s transition from research to large-scale application. This initiative aligns with the IndiaAI Mission and the Digital India Initiative, emphasizing a development-focused approach that translates technological discourse into practical, people-centric results.