Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held bilateral talks in Mumbai on Tuesday (February 17). PM Modi said that the relationship between France and India is very special. France is among the oldest strategic partners. “We are very proud that in collaboration with France we are making a helicopter which can fly upto the heights of Mount Everest. 2026 is a turning point in the India-Europe relationship. We signed a free trade agreement with Europe. It will also bring a big change in our relationship with France. Innovation comes from collaboration. We are connecting our industry and innovators.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-touts-strongest-military-khamenei-warns-us-could-be-struck-so-hard-cannot-get-up-again-1771328673113">Trump touts ‘strongest military’; Khamenei warns US could be 'struck so hard cannot get up again'</a>&nbsp;Modi further said that the world is going through uncertainty; at this juncture, the India-France relationship will act as a force for global stability. He also said that we will eliminate terrorism from the root. Meanwhile, Macron said that he was thankful for the warm hospitality. He said, “India and France's relationship is unique. We discussed today that our relationships will become more stronger, we have trust and transparency in our relationship. In the last 8 years, we have taken many joint ventures. We want France to become a trustworty partnership of India. We have also decided today to elevate this partnership to a special strategic partnership, granting it a new status.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/storm-slams-south-island-after-wellington-chaos-state-of-emergency-declared-on-banks-peninsula-1771317007919/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/storm-slams-south-island-after-wellington-chaos-state-of-emergency-declared-on-banks-peninsula-1771317007919/embed</a><h2>WATCH- Emmanuel Macron meeting PM Narendra Modi</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🇮🇳🇫🇷 <a href="https://t.co/ACBDaxbHxg">pic.twitter.com/ACBDaxbHxg</a>&mdash; Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/2023728218780356889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Before the bilateral talks, Narendra Modi and Emmanuel Macron inaugurated India's first helicopter final assembly line, a joint venture between India's Tata Group and Airbus. The facility in Vemagal, in the southern state of Karnataka near the tech hub of Bengaluru, will manufacture the Airbus H125, the company's single-engine helicopter.&nbsp;Modi, in a post on X, wrote, “It’s a delight to meet my friend, President Macron, in Mumbai! He told me he really likes the city and also enjoyed his run earlier in the day!”

Macron in India: PM Modi hails 'special ties' with France, says ,'we will eliminate terrorism from roots'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held bilateral talks in Mumbai on Tuesday (February 17). PM Modi said that the relationship between France and India is very special. France is among the oldest strategic partners. “We are very proud that in collaboration with France we are making a helicopter which can fly upto the heights of Mount Everest. 2026 is a turning point in the India-Europe relationship. We signed a free trade agreement with Europe. It will also bring a big change in our relationship with France. Innovation comes from collaboration. We are connecting our industry and innovators.” Also Read: Trump touts ‘strongest military’; Khamenei warns US could be 'struck so hard cannot get up again' Modi further said that the world is going through uncertainty; at this juncture, the India-France relationship will act as a force for global stability. He also said that we will eliminate terrorism from the root. Meanwhile, Macron said that he was thankful for the warm hospitality. He said, “India and France's relationship is unique. We discussed today that our relationships will become more stronger, we have trust and transparency in our relationship. In the last 8 years, we have taken many joint ventures. We want France to become a trustworty partnership of India. We have also decided today to elevate this partnership to a special strategic partnership, granting it a new status.” https://www.wionews.com/videos/storm-slams-south-island-after-wellington-chaos-state-of-emergency-declared-on-banks-peninsula-1771317007919/embed WATCH- Emmanuel Macron meeting PM Narendra Modi

After bilateral discussions with Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the India–France trade agreement would serve as a pillar of global stability

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) with First Lady Brigitte Macron for a three-day visit to India. Both were welcomed by Maharashtra leaders, including CM Devendra Fadnavis and Governor Acharya Devvrat. President Macron will meet PM Narendra Modi for bilateral talks focusing especially on a potential multibillion-dollar Dassault Rafale fighter jet deal and cooperation in artificial intelligence.&nbsp;The deal is likely to include 114 additional French fighter jets; however, the PMO statement did not specify the exact number of jets New Delhi would purchase. According to a report in NDTV, India has approved a proposal worth Rs 3.25 lakh crore. In this proposal, New Delhi will procure 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF), marking the biggest defence acquisition in the country's history.&nbsp;If the deal is finalised, the new jets would supplement the 36 Rafales fighters India bought for its air force in 2016 and the 26 already ordered for the navy. Talks with manufacturer Dassault Aviation are still underway, though the French presidency has expressed confidence that a deal it has described as “historic” could be finalised.&nbsp;WATCH: https://www.wionews.com/videos/ai-fears-trigger-global-tech-selloff-indian-it-stocks-see-worst-fall-since-2008-1771303450617/embedd<h3>What's on the agenda?</h3>Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron are scheduled to hold bilateral talks at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai around 3:15 pm on Tuesday. Beyond the Rafale discussions, the talks will cover defence, space, nuclear energy, climate change, education, and emerging technologies, with multiple agreements expected during Macron’s three-day visit, according to a TOI report.&nbsp;The Prime Minister’s Office said the leaders will review progress under the India–France Strategic Partnership and explore ways to deepen cooperation, particularly in future-focused sectors. At about 5:15 pm, the two leaders will jointly launch the India–France Year of Innovation 2026 and address an audience of business leaders, startup founders, researchers, and innovators from both nations. Meanwhile, at 12:30 PM, Macron expected to pay tribute to 26/11 victims.&nbsp;They will also inaugurate India’s first helicopter final assembly line via videoconference, a joint venture between the Tata Group and Airbus. Located in Vemagal near Bengaluru in Karnataka, the facility will manufacture the Airbus H125, the company’s best-selling single-engine helicopter.&nbsp;The French President will also participate in the AI Impact Summit hosted by India on February 18 and 19. Along with bilateral talks, they will also hold discussions on global issues like the Indo-Pacific, Ukraine, and Gaza.&nbsp;Additionally, the talks are expected to touch on global economic uncertainty triggered by tariff policies under US President Donald Trump, as well as China's growing influence in the region. The PMO said the focus would be on strengthening and diversifying the strategic partnership into new and emerging areas. &nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ai-impact-summit-2026-pm-modi-engages-with-startups-tech-leaders-at-landmark-ai-event-1771255455630">AI Impact Summit 2026: PM Modi engages with startups, tech leaders at landmark AI event</a>

Beyond the Rafale discussions, French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will discuss space, nuclear energy, climate change, education, and emerging technologies, with multiple agreements expected during Macron’s three-day visit.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) with First Lady Brigitte Macron for a three-day visit to India. Both were welcomed by Maharashtra leaders, including CM Devendra Fadnavis and Governor Acharya Devvrat. President Macron will meet PM Narendra Modi for bilateral talks focusing especially on a potential multibillion-dollar Dassault Rafale fighter jet deal and cooperation in artificial intelligence. The deal is likely to include 114 additional French fighter jets; however, the PMO statement did not specify the exact number of jets New Delhi would purchase. According to a report in NDTV, India has approved a proposal worth Rs 3.25 lakh crore. In this proposal, New Delhi will procure 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF), marking the biggest defence acquisition in the country's history. If the deal is finalised, the new jets would supplement the 36 Rafales fighters India bought for its air force in 2016 and the 26 already ordered for the navy. Talks with manufacturer Dassault Aviation are still underway, though the French presidency has expressed confidence that a deal it has described as “historic” could be finalised. WATCH: https://www.wionews.com/videos/ai-fears-trigger-global-tech-selloff-indian-it-stocks-see-worst-fall-since-2008-1771303450617/embedd What's on the agenda? Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron are scheduled to hold bilateral talks at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai around 3:15 pm on Tuesday. Beyond the Rafale discussions, the talks will cover defence, space, nuclear energy, climate change, education, and emerging technologies, with multiple agreements expected during Macron’s three-day visit, according to a TOI report. The Prime Minister’s Office said the leaders will review progress under the India–France Strategic Partnership and explore ways to deepen cooperation, particularly in future-focused sectors. At about 5:15 pm, the two leaders will jointly launch the India–France Year of Innovation 2026 and address an audience of business leaders, startup founders, researchers, and innovators from both nations. Meanwhile, at 12:30 PM, Macron expected to pay tribute to 26/11 victims. They will also inaugurate India’s first helicopter final assembly line via videoconference, a joint venture between the Tata Group and Airbus. Located in Vemagal near Bengaluru in Karnataka, the facility will manufacture the Airbus H125, the company’s best-selling single-engine helicopter. The French President will also participate in the AI Impact Summit hosted by India on February 18 and 19. Along with bilateral talks, they will also hold discussions on global issues like the Indo-Pacific, Ukraine, and Gaza. Additionally, the talks are expected to touch on global economic uncertainty triggered by tariff policies under US President Donald Trump, as well as China's growing influence in the region. The PMO said the focus would be on strengthening and diversifying the strategic partnership into new and emerging areas. Also read: AI Impact Summit 2026: PM Modi engages with startups, tech leaders at landmark AI event

Beyond the Rafale discussions, French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will discuss space, nuclear energy, climate change, education, and emerging technologies, with multiple agreements expected during Macron’s three-day visit.

India eyes major Rafale expansion deal amid Macron-Modi meeting: Check top agenda on table

What Are the ‘Hammer’ Smart Missiles That India Could Soon Manufacture Locally?

A memorandum of understanding for a joint venture to manufacturing of Hammer missiles is also likely to be signed in the presence of both Defence Ministers.

India set to sign deal to produce Rafale’s deadly ‘HAMMER’ missiles? 70 km range, all-weather multi-target strike power & more

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Macron in India: PM Modi hails 'special ties' with France, says ,'we will eliminate terrorism from roots'

India eyes major Rafale expansion deal amid Macron-Modi talks: Check top agenda

What are the ‘HAMMER’ smart missiles that India could soon manufacture locally?