French President Emmanuel Macron is set to arrive in India late Monday night for a significant three-day visit that is expected to strengthen defence cooperation, accelerate technology partnerships and deepen coordination in the Indo-Pacific region. The visit comes amid rapidly evolving global geopolitical equations, with both New Delhi and Paris looking to reinforce their long-standing strategic partnership.

During his stay, President Macron will hold comprehensive bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Diplomatic sources indicate that discussions will focus on implementing the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, which outlines an ambitious plan to expand collaboration across defence, space, nuclear energy, trade, and emerging technologies. Officials have described the visit as a reflection of the “deep trust and shared vision” between the two nations.

A major highlight of the visit is expected to be discussions surrounding India’s proposal to procure 114 additional 4.5-generation Rafale fighter jets from France. The multi-billion-rupee defence deal, which has already cleared preliminary approvals, could significantly enhance the Indian Air Force’s combat capabilities. According to officials familiar with the negotiations, a portion of the aircraft is likely to be delivered in fly-away condition, while the majority could be manufactured in India under the Make in India initiative, boosting domestic defence production. India already operates 36 Rafale jets, and the Indian Navy has separately moved to induct the Rafale-M variant for its aircraft carriers.

The Indo-Pacific region will also dominate discussions, as both countries aim to expand maritime cooperation and ensure regional stability. With France maintaining overseas territories in the region, strategic alignment between the two nations is viewed as crucial in maintaining balance and safeguarding trade routes that account for a substantial share of global economic activity.

President Macron will also attend the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, signalling growing cooperation in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. The year 2026 has been designated as the India-France Year of Innovation, further underlining the shared commitment to research, digital transformation and future-ready industries.