Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron shared a car ride on February 17, 2026, en route to the India-France Innovation Forum after bilateral talks in Mumbai. Modi posted a photo on X, noting: “After the talks and press statements at Lok Bhavan, President Macron and I are on the way to the other programmes.”
Bilateral Talks and Partnership Upgrade
The leaders elevated India-France ties to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership,” focusing on trade, defense, energy, AI, and Indo-Pacific stability. Modi highlighted the partnership’s role in global uncertainty, announcing initiatives like Indo-French Centres for AI in Health and Digital Science, plus an H125 helicopter assembly line.
Innovation Forum and Visit Highlights
At the forum, they inaugurated the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, addressing innovators on research, startups, and tech collaboration. Macron’s four-day visit, including the AI Impact Summit, underscores deepening ties; he praised the “unique” relationship built on trust. The gesture symbolized their strong personal rapport amid expanding cooperation.
