Emmanuel Macron’s India Visit: Rafale Jets and Key Talks

World
By Newsroom,  published 17 February 2026 at 14h10, updated on 17 February 2026 at 14h10.
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Gros plan d'un jet Rafale en plein vol à travers un ciel bleu clair, mettant en valeur son design élégant et sa précision.

French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to India on Tuesday for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with discussions expected to focus on strategic cooperation and the ongoing issues surrounding the Rafale fighter jet deal between the two countries.

TL;DR

  • France and India strengthen strategic and economic partnership.
  • Major defense deals, especially Rafale jets, are on the table.
  • Divergences persist, but pragmatic dialogue continues.

A Transforming Alliance Between France and India

When Emmanuel Macron touched down in Bombay, later traveling to New Delhi from February 17 to 19, 2026, the trip signaled more than a routine diplomatic stop. This was the French president’s fourth official visit to India since 2018—a frequency unmatched by his predecessors and one that underscores Paris’s intention to reshape ties with this Asian giant. The French delegation, including over a hundred executives from firms such as EDF, Schneider Electric, and notably Dassault Aviation, came prepared for high-stakes talks.

A Shared Ambition: Strategic Autonomy

Amid mounting global uncertainty—whether due to American pressure or the ever-expanding influence of China—both capitals have found common ground in pursuing what aides close to Macron define as a quest for “strategic autonomy.” The calculus is straightforward: greater independence in global affairs benefits not just France and India, but also the broader European sphere. From New Delhi’s perspective, this partnership offers vital alternatives at a time when Washington’s criticism over Indian purchases of Russian oil has grown sharper. As political scientist Christophe Jaffrelot observes, “All powers—even medium-sized ones—are welcome in today’s Indian strategy.”

The Business Edge: Defense and Innovation

On the economic front, French industry is on the offensive. The focal point is undoubtedly a prospective mega-deal for 114 Rafale jets, valued around €30 billion—a contract that could follow on the heels of recent agreements for both air force and navy aircraft. With preliminary approval already granted by India’s defense ministry, optimism runs high among Dassault executives. In tandem, an assembly line for Airbus H125 helicopters is set to open remotely from Bombay. But the agenda extends further: health care innovation, new technologies, and artificial intelligence round out key areas of Franco-Indian cooperation.

Several factors explain this forward momentum:

  • Security and defense: Anticipated signature of additional Rafale contracts.
  • Technological collaboration: A joint summit dedicated to artificial intelligence.
  • Bilateral trade: Opportunities arising from the EU-India free trade agreement.

Of course, not every issue finds immediate consensus. The matter of Ukraine remains a sticking point; India has yet to publicly denounce Russia’s invasion in 2022. Yet French officials seem determined to downplay these divergences as long as New Delhi restrains its energy imports from Moscow. Behind closed doors, diplomats emphasize an unexpected rapport between Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi: mutual invitations to national celebrations have fostered a pragmatic relationship despite their contrasting leadership styles. In an era some describe as a “great global disorder,” it is precisely this flexibility—and willingness to keep channels open—that characterizes the evolving relationship between Paris and New Delhi.