French President Macron in India Next Week for AI Summit, Talks with PM Modi

French President Emmanuel Macron will undertake an official visit to India from February 17 to February 19 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during which he will participate in the AI Impact Summit, the first global AI summit to be hosted in the Global South.

The visit underscores the importance both countries place on cooperation in emerging and critical technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders will hold wide-ranging discussions to further strengthen bilateral cooperation under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, which outlines the long-term vision for the India-France Strategic Partnership.

As part of the visit, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will jointly inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 in Mumbai. The initiative will be celebrated throughout the year in both countries and aims to deepen collaboration in innovation, technology, research, and people-to-people exchanges.

The two leaders will also exchange views on key regional and global issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, reflecting the growing strategic convergence between India and France, the MEA said.

“This visit follows Prime Minister Modi's visit to France in February 2025 and reflects the mutual trust and depth of the India-France Strategic Partnership, as well as the shared commitment of the two countries to deepen it further,” the MEA stated.

The visit comes after Prime Minister Modi and President Macron co-chaired the AI Action Summit in Paris in February 2025, highlighting sustained cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence.

The India-AI Impact Summit will be held from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, marking the first global AI summit to be hosted in the Global South. Designed as a five-day programme covering policy, research, industry, and public engagement, the Summit is anchored on three foundational pillars, or “Sutras”: People, Planet, and Progress.

The Summit is expected to bring together global leaders, policymakers, technology companies, innovators, and experts to deliberate on AI’s role in governance, innovation, and sustainable development.

Alongside the Summit, the India AI Impact Expo will span more than 70,000 square metres and feature over 300 exhibitors from 30 countries across 10 thematic pavilions, showcasing AI’s transition from research and pilot projects to large-scale deployment.

The event builds on India’s development-focused approach to artificial intelligence, aligns with the IndiaAI Mission and Digital India Initiative, and emphasises translating global AI discussions into practical, people-centric outcomes.

(With inputs from ANI)