By Val�rie LEROUX
Mumbai, India (AFP) Feb 17, 2026
France and India celebrated their ties as a drive for world stability, as President Emmanuel Macron kicked off a three-day go to centered on expertise and defence cooperation on Tuesday.
A possible multibillion greenback fighter jet deal can be on the desk, with officers travelling with Macron expressing confidence {that a} contract for 114 Rafales could be finalised.
Talking to reporters after his assembly with Macron in Mumbai, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that “in at present’s turbulent world, it is a partnership for world stability.”
Macron stated the “outstanding acceleration” of ties with India got here in response to the “altering worldwide order”.
Each leaders had earlier referred to one another as their “pricey pal”, in posts on social media.
Macron is on his fourth go to to India since taking workplace in 2017, accompanied by his spouse Brigitte.
He started his journey in India’s monetary capital, honouring the victims of the 2008 Mumbai assaults and assembly Bollywood movie stars earlier than sitting down with Modi.
The go to follows New Delhi’s affirmation final week that it intends to put a serious order for Dassault Rafale jets, in addition to the signing of a landmark free commerce settlement between India and the European Union in January.
Macron will journey to New Delhi for a synthetic intelligence summit on Wednesday and Thursday.
– ‘Contract of the century’ –
New Delhi has sought over the previous decade to cut back its dependence on Russia, its conventional most important provider of navy gear, turning to different international locations whereas additionally pushing for extra home manufacturing.
An Indian defence ministry assertion final week stated the proposed buy of Rafale jets had been cleared — with “the bulk” of them to be manufactured in India.
Christophe Jaffrelot, an India specialist at Sciences Po Heart for Worldwide Research in Paris, described the potential 30-billion-euro ($35-billion) deal for 114 Rafales because the “contract of the century”.
If finalised, the jets would add to the 62 Rafales that India has already bought.
The French presidency has voiced optimism that what it calls a “historic” settlement might be reached.
Modi and Macron additionally inaugurated through videoconference India’s first helicopter ultimate meeting line, a three way partnership between India’s Tata Group and Airbus.
The ability in Vemagal, within the southern state of Karnataka close to the tech hub of Bengaluru, will manufacture the Airbus H125, the corporate’s best-selling single-engine helicopter.
Additional offers have been additionally on the agenda, with each international locations’ defence ministers additionally holding talks on cooperation on Tuesday.
They watched on as French group Safran and Indian firm Bharat Electronics Restricted signed an settlement to create a three way partnership to fabricate AASM Hammer guided bombs.
– ‘Good chemistry’ –
France has emerged as one among India’s most necessary defence and financial companions within the final decade.
“Via this go to, we search to additional strengthen cooperation” with India, and to “diversify” France’s financial and commerce partnerships, Macron’s workplace stated.
India, the world’s most populous nation with 1.4 billion individuals, is on observe to grow to be the fourth-largest economic system globally.
This week’s talks are additionally anticipated to handle world financial uncertainty triggered by tariff insurance policies underneath US President Donald Trump, in addition to China’s affect within the area.
Bilateral commerce between France and India, pushed largely by defence and aerospace — India’s business fleet features a substantial variety of Airbus plane — stands at round $18 billion yearly.
French international direct funding in India totals practically $15 billion.
The 2 leaders may also be eager to nurture shut private ties.
“There may be apparently an excellent chemistry, an excellent private rapport,” Jaffrelot stated.
One delicate concern stays Ukraine: India has not condemned Russia’s 2022 invasion and has continued shopping for oil from Moscow.
US President Donald Trump has stated India had dedicated to halting the purchases, although that has not been formally confirmed by New Delhi.
Macron, talking alongside Modi in Mumbai, urged him to “assist the institution of a right away and lasting moratorium on assaults towards civilians and civilian infrastructure” in Ukraine.
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