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President Emmanuel Macron of France begins a three-day state visit to India on Tuesday, with discussions set to centre on artificial intelligence cooperation and a possible multibillion-euro deal for Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter jets.
France is seeking to deepen its military partnership with New Delhi, with talks expected on a potential contract for 114 additional Rafale aircraft.
Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, arrived shortly before midnight on Monday in Mumbai, India’s financial hub, marking his fourth visit to the country since taking office in 2017. He is due to meet Prime Minister later on Tuesday.
The French leader will then travel to New Delhi for an artificial intelligence summit scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
The visit follows confirmation from New Delhi last week that it intends to place a substantial order for Rafale jets. It also comes after India and the European Union signed a landmark free trade agreement in January.
‘Contract of the Century’
Over the past decade, India has sought to reduce its reliance on Russia, traditionally its principal military supplier, by diversifying procurement and encouraging domestic production.
An Indian defence ministry statement last week confirmed that the proposed Rafale purchase had been cleared, with “the majority” of the jets to be manufactured in India. While the exact number was not specified, a defence ministry source indicated that 114 aircraft were likely.
Christophe Jaffrelot of the Sciences Po Center for International Studies described the potential €30 billion ($35 billion) agreement as the “contract of the century” and a possible crowning achievement in Franco-Indian relations.
If concluded, the deal would add to the 36 Rafales India bought 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 what it terms a “historic” agreement could soon be finalised.
Expanding Strategic Ties
On Tuesday, Modi and Macron will also inaugurate India’s first helicopter final assembly line via videoconference from Mumbai. The facility, located in Vemagal, Karnataka, near Bengaluru, is a joint venture between India’s Tata Group and Airbus and will manufacture the Airbus H125 helicopter.
France has become one of India’s key defence and economic partners over the past decade. Bilateral trade, largely driven by defence and aerospace, stands at approximately €15 billion annually, with India operating a significant number of Airbus aircraft. French foreign direct investment in India totals nearly €13 billion.
Talks are also expected to address global economic uncertainty stemming from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and China’s expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Modi’s office said discussions would focus on strengthening the strategic partnership and broadening cooperation into emerging sectors.
Personal rapport between the two leaders is also seen as an asset. “There is apparently a good chemistry and a good personal rapport,” Jaffrelot noted.
One sensitive topic remains: Ukraine. India has refrained from condemning Russia’s 2022 invasion and has continued purchasing Russian oil. While Trump has suggested that India may halt those purchases, New Delhi has not formally confirmed any such commitment.
