Macron’s Visit To India: Major Takeaways – Analysis
The three-day visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India in February 2026 during which a host of agreements on security and economic issues were signed has reset bilateral ties and is being watched in world capitals for its significance and importance. Macron visited both India’s economic and political capitals – Mumbai and New Delhi – during which he interacted with business and political leaders and inked agreements on both economic and defence issues. This was Macron’s fourth visit to India since assuming office in 2017. The fourth visit was path-breaking as it consolidated the transformation of bilateral ties in technology and defence, as well as the Indo-Pacific.
Indeed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s outreach to Europe has been a part of India’s aspiration to play a larger role in global affairs. The time is appropriate as the United States under President Donald Trump is looking inwards and seen to have shirked its global responsibility to maintain order. India has felt that it is appropriate for it to fill the vacuum created by President Trump. India’s outreach to France and as a part of broader pivot to Europe is indicative of its aspiration for a greater role in global affairs.
This assertion may be read in the context of the visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in January during the Republic Day celebrations during which the long-negotiated free trade agreement was signed, reflecting Europe’s relevance in India’s strategic calculus. In a world of increasing multi-polarity impacting the existing global equilibrium during which the US power is seen in decline and the Chinese power is seen in ascendance, the group of middle powers are scrambling to put their strength together to make their presence relevant for global good. In this matrix, India and France coming together and inking agreement in economic and defence issues is a welcome thing for global stability and prosperity. Though both India and France put together are far away in terms of economic scale, military weight and technological depth, as observed by C Raja Mohan in his column in the Indian Express, it is nevertheless a development that needs to be watched with interest for its potentials.
As India leapfrogs in its aspirations to emerge as the third largest economy in the world, it has plenty of homework to do. First it has to navigate through the US-China rivalry and seek its own identity and not remain as an adjunct to either Washington or Beijing, which is why deepening ties with other middle powers is defined as an appropriate strategy. It is to be seen how much Prime Minister Modi makes India relevant in the global stage vis-à-vis other claimants for such a role. That would remain as a challenge for quite some time. Reaching out to other countries with common perceptions to pursue that goal could be the appropriate strategy.
In its foreign policy realm, India has always advocated and stood by its policy of strategic autonomy, a principle which France too endorses in the European context. This is a shared vocabulary that hones India-France bonhomie in a host of issues. This is reflected in the Horizon 2047 framework unveiled in 2023, a long-term bilateral roadmap committing both countries to collaborate in defence, technology, space, energy and the Indo-Pacific through 2047, coinciding India’s century of independence.
Major Takeaway of Macron’s visit
The major highlight of the visit was the desire to boost security and energy ties. Both sides upgraded the relations to a special global strategic partnership. Both took several steps to deepen ties in defence, technology, critical minerals and energy, symbolising the bilateral partnership as a force of global stability and progress in a turbulent era.
Among the key outcomes of the meeting were measures to bolster security ties, including the renewal of a defence cooperation agreement, inauguration of an assembly line for H125 helicopters in Karnataka, creation of a joint venture between Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and France’s Safran to produce Hammer missiles, and reciprocal deployment of officers of the Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments.
The H125 program represents an investment of more than Rs. 1,000 crore and is likely to create direct and indirect employment opportunities for India’s skilled and hardworking younger generation. Airbus helicopters have set up a production line for the H125 helicopters in partnership with Tata Advanced System Limited (TASL) at Vemagal in Karnataka. This is the fourth such facility in the world and India’s first helicopter final assembly line in the private sector.
The first H125 is expected to roll out of the facility in early 2027, and the choppers built in India will be exported to South Asian countries too. The final assembly line in India will initially produce 10 H125s a year, with production being ramped up as orders grow. Airbus has projected a demand for 500 light helicopters of the H125 class in the country and South Asia during the next 20 years. The 2.8-tonne H125 can carry up to six passengers, fly at a maximum altitude of 23,000 feet, has a range of 630 km and a top speed of 250 kmph. The roles it is suited for include commercial transport, law enforcement, emergency medical services, disaster management, offshore industry and fire fighting. These helicopters are currently produced only in France, the US and Brazil.
In 2025, BEL and Safran Electronics and Defence sighed a joint venture cooperation agreement (JVCA) for the production of the Hammer (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) smart weapon in India in what was seen as a major impetus for self-reliance drive. The Indian Air Force’s Rafale fighter jets are equipped with Hammer precision guided air-to-ground weapons, which was used during the four-day military confrontation with Pakistan in May 2025 under Operation Sindoor.
Prime Minister Modi remarked: “France is one of India’s oldest strategic partners. Based on this trust and shared vision, today we are establishing our relationship as a special global strategic partnership”. He further observed that India and France partnership knows no boundaries. In return Macron pointed to a “remarkable acceleration” of ties in response to the “changing international order”, and underlined that both sides do not want to be subjected to “any form of hegemony”. He highlighted bilateral cooperation on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), nuclear energy and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Both sides agreed to give the world an AI model that respects people and different cultures, has transparent and open algorithms and can be used to tackle big challenges in line with the UN Charter.
Prime Minister Modi remarked that the largest and most ambitious free trade between India and the European Union will give unprecedented momentum to relation with France. The two sides also concluded an agreement to avoid double taxation that promotes mutual investments and mobility.
The two sides also launched the India-France Year of Innovation to connect industries and innovators in fields such as defence, clean energy, space and emerging technologies and to strengthen people-to-people contacts. Both sides also agreed to build strong networks between start-ups and MSEMs. Agreement was also reached to facilitate exchanges between students and researchers. Macron endorsed to simplify visas and sourcing procedures for Indian students and expand English-taught courses. He called upon both the countries to build their own trusted AI systems and reduce dependence on technologies developed elsewhere.
In order to strengthen cooperation in critical minerals, bio-technology and advanced materials, both sides launched the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi, Indo-French Centre for Digital Science and Technology, and the National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics. The Indo-French Centre for AI in Health will focus on advancing AI-driven research, medical education and clinical innovation, particularly in areas such as brain health and global healthcare systems. The Indo-French Centre for AI in Health has been established under a joint Memorandum of Understanding between AIIMS, New Delhi, Sorbonne University and the Paris Brain Institute. Macron promised to streamline visa and administrative procedures to better support students.
Speaking at the AI in Action Summit and inaugurating a 5,000 sq ft Indo-French Centre for AI in Health, at the AIIMS, Marcon promised to raise annual Indian student enrolment from around 10,000 to 30,000 by 2030 and announced to streamline the visa procedures aligning with the full duration of academic programmes to prevent repeated renewals. He also stressed that many advanced courses, including in artificial intelligence, are available in English and that France’s comparatively low tuition fees reflect strong public funding rather than lower standards.
The most significant outcome of the visit was related to defence and security, where France emerged as one of India’s closest partner in Europe. Macron’s visit coincided with defence ministry’s approval for a major order for 114 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force. PM Modi and Macron virtually inaugurated the assembly line for H125 helicopters set up at Vemagal in Karnataka by Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus. This proved to be another example of mutual trust. The joint production of helicopters will be the world’s only ones capable of flying to the heights of Mount Everest. There shall be possibility for exports too.
France also agreed to produce some of the Rafale fleet in India, besides the planned assembly of helicopters and joint jet-engine cooperation, point to a consequential defence industrial partnership between the two countries. The Indian private sector is poised to play a significant role in the transformation of the domestic aerospace ecosystem in collaboration with France and be an important partner in this ecosystem.
The defence ministers of the two countries – Rajnath Singh and Cathcrine Vautyrin – also held the 6th Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru, during which the defence cooperation agreement was renewed for 10 more years and the pact for reciprocal deployment of army officers was announced. This dialogue came days after the defence acquisition council (DAC) cleared the purchase of military hardware worth Rs. 3.6 lakh crore, including 114 Rafale fighter jets from France, which is expected to supply 18 planes in flyaway condition while the remaining 96 will be made in India. Rajnath Singh was particularly keen on greater indigenisation content in the fighter jets and he succeeded in making the French side agree to his proposal. India was pushing for an indigenous content in the region of 50-60 per cent.
The actual deal shall take time as there are several related issues such floating of tenders, technical discussions, cost negotiations and the final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security remain. The acceptance of necessity (AoN) by the council on 12 February for the new fighters and the other weapons systems, is the first step in the procurement process. This agreement is not just for bilateral benefit but has relevance in the larger context of strengthening regional stability as enhanced joint capabilities shall reinforce the enduring Indo-French strategic alignment.
The renewal of the 10-year defence pact came three months after the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) signed an agreement with Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), France, to deepen collaboration in defence research and development. Key areas of cooperation outlined in the agreement include aeronautical platforms, unmanned vehicles, advanced materials for defence application, cyber security, artificial intelligence, space, navigation, advanced propulsion, advanced sensors, underwater technologies and other areas of mutual interests.
India may also buy additional Scorpene-class conventional submarines from France. India has already acquired six Scorpene-class submarines (Kalvari class) from France. The French Defence Minister appreciated the conversion of Exercise Shakti with the Army from a biennial to an annual event.
Another significant takeaway from Macron’s visit is his identification of three priorities in the use of AI in the services of humanity. These are protecting children from unregulated digital ecosystems, ensuring transparency in algorithms that shape public discourse and preserving linguistic diversity in AI systems.
France is soon going to host the G-7 Summit as it holds the rotating presidency for 2026. Macron extended an invitation to PM Modi to attend the summit and participate in the deliberations. He has already made it a thrust area to protect children from the harmful effects of social media and artificial intelligence and sought support from India on this. His observations that “there is no reason our children should be exposed online to what is legally forbidden in the real world” was full of maturity in the context of protecting the children from the negative influences unleashed by the digital world. Maron has made it a priority during his G-7 presidency to work for children’s protection against AI and digital-related abuse. He urged Prime Minister Modi to join and support to protect the children and teenagers from potential digital abuse.
In France, Macron has already initiated measures to ban social media networks for children under 15. In 2025 Australia became the first country to ban children under the age 16 from social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. European nations including the UK and Germany are weighing social media bans for minors, with regulators saying the services are harmful and addictive. Even some Scandinavian countries are thinking in similar lines to put an age cap for access to social media platform. This is indeed a serious issue that should not be taken lightly by Indian policy makers. Children’s safety ought to be of utmost priority and access to digital media platforms and regulating such access for children and teenagers deserves serious attention by policy makers not only in India but all over the world.