French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in India on Tuesday for a three-day visit aimed at boosting cooperation in artificial intelligence and advancing talks on a multibillion-dollar fighter jet agreement involving the Dassault Aviation-made Dassault Rafale.
Paris is seeking to expand its strategic partnership with New Delhi, with discussions expected on a potential contract for 114 additional Rafale aircraft. Macron and his wife, Brigitte, landed in Mumbai late Monday night, marking his fourth visit to India since taking office in 2017. He is set to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi later on Tuesday.
The French leader will travel to New Delhi midweek to attend an artificial intelligence summit scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
The visit comes shortly after India confirmed plans to place a substantial order for Rafale jets and following the signing of a landmark free trade agreement between India and the European Union in January.
‘Contract of the century’
Over the past decade, India has sought to diversify its defence suppliers, gradually reducing reliance on Russia while encouraging greater domestic production. An Indian defence ministry statement last week said the proposed Rafale purchase had received clearance, adding that most of the jets would be manufactured in India. While the ministry did not confirm the exact number, a source indicated that 114 aircraft were under consideration.
Christophe Jaffrelot of Sciences Po’s Center for International Studies described the potential $35 billion agreement for 114 Rafales as a “contract of the century” and a possible milestone in bilateral relations.
If concluded, the deal would supplement the 36 Rafales India acquired for its air force in 2016 and the 26 ordered for its navy. Negotiations with Dassault Aviation are ongoing, though the French presidency has expressed optimism that a “historic” agreement could be finalised.
Expanding strategic partnership
Modi and Macron are also scheduled to inaugurate India’s first helicopter final assembly line via videoconference from Mumbai. The facility, located in Vemagal in Karnataka near Bengaluru, is a joint venture between India’s Tata Group and Airbus and will produce the Airbus H125 helicopter.
France has emerged as a key defence and economic partner for India in recent years. According to Macron’s office, the visit aims to further strengthen cooperation and broaden economic and trade ties.
India, with a population of 1.4 billion, is poised to become the world’s fourth-largest economy. Bilateral trade between France and India stands at roughly $18 billion annually, driven largely by defence and aerospace, while French foreign direct investment in India totals nearly $15 billion.
Talks are also expected to address global economic uncertainty linked to tariff policies under US President Donald Trump, as well as China’s growing regional influence.
Modi’s office said discussions would focus on consolidating the strategic partnership and expanding cooperation into emerging sectors.
The two leaders are also seen as sharing a strong personal rapport. However, one sensitive issue remains India’s stance on the Ukraine conflict. New Delhi has not condemned Russia’s 2022 invasion and continues to purchase Russian oil. Trump recently claimed that India had committed to halting those purchases, though this has not been officially confirmed by Indian authorities.