This visit, the fourth by President Macron since 2017, comes a year after the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit hosted in Paris and is part of the continuous dialogue between France and India on major technological, economic, and strategic issues.

On 14 July 2023, President Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to renew the Indo-French strategic partnership by setting a new course for 2047, the year that will mark 100 years of India’s Independence, 100 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries, and half a century of our strategic partnership.

The ‘Horizon 2047’ Roadmap has raised ambitions in three major areas:

• Partnership for Security and Sovereignty (defence, space, civil nuclear energy, digital technology, emerging technologies, the Indo-Pacific, combatting terrorism);

• Partnership for the Planet (environment, climate, health, transitions, sustainable development);

• Partnership for the People (student and professional mobility, culture).

Business France and Mission French Tech brought over a hundred French companies with them on this trip.

Visit to India: first stop Mumbai

This visit reflects the substantiveness and continuity of the political dialogue between France and India and aims to deepen bilateral cooperation in its economic, technological, scientific, cultural and industrial dimensions.

The first leg of this trip took place in Mumbai.

On the morning of 17 February, at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, the President Macron and Madame Macron paid tribute to the victims of the 2008 terrorist attacks.

Later, they attended a lunch themed on the film industry, with Indian and French cultural figures and filmmakers.

In the afternoon, the French Head of State and the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Narendra Modi, held bilateral talks at the Residence of the Governor of Maharashtra, and then proceeded to jointly addressing the press.

On Wednesday, 18 February, President took part in a round-table discussion with Indian investors.

He also gave an interview to Indian podcaster Raj Shamani, before heading to the airport for New Delhi.

Visit to India: second leg in New Delhi

On his arrival in New Delhi on Wednesday, 18 February, the Head of State visited the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) campus, where he was welcomed by Mr Jagat Prakash Nadda, India's Minister of Health and Family Welfare, and Dr M. Srinivas, Director General of AIIMS New Delhi.

The Head of State exchanged views with Indian talents at High-level academic and scientific meetings (RUSH-Rencontres Universitaires et Scientifiques de Haut) on the future of Indo-French cooperation.

The President then visited the French Institute in New Delhi, where he interacted with Indian ‘cultural Passeurs”. He was given a presentation on The Brij, a futuristic centre will be dedicated to arts and culture and host a wide range of creative and expressive projects.

The Head of State also gave an interview to Brut India.

In the evening, he attended the inaugural gala dinner of the AI Impact Summit at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre, in the presence of many heads of State and government, and business leaders.

Visit to India: AI Impact Summit in New Delhi

The President’s programme on 19 February was devoted to the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit.

This Summit came in direct continuation of the deliberations initiated in Paris last year, with the ambition of a sustainable, accessible AI for the common good.

President Emmanuel Macron took part in the inaugural session at the Bharat Mandapam convention centre in the presence of numerous heads of State and government, and business leaders.

During his speech, he underscored that the future of AI would be built by those who know how to combine innovation and responsibility, technology and humanity, and that India, Franc,e and Europe must all be at the forefront.

He also stressed the importance of protecting our children and teenagers from digital abuse. There is no reason why they should be exposed online to what is legally prohibited in the real world.

Thereafter, he walked to the various pavilions before joining the Summit's plenary session.

Later, he spoke to several heads of State and business leaders, winding up his day at the Summit with taking questions from journalists.