French President Emmanuel Macron has started a three-day trip to India, with discussions expected to center on artificial intelligence collaboration and a potential multibillion-dollar deal for Dassault Rafale fighter jets.
France aims to deepen its military ties with New Delhi, with reports indicating a possible agreement to purchase 114 additional Rafale jets.
Macron, accompanied by his wife Brigitte, landed in Mumbai—India’s financial capital—around midnight Monday for his fourth visit to the country since assuming office in 2017. He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later on Tuesday.
Following the Mumbai meetings, Macron will travel to New Delhi to attend a two-day summit on artificial intelligence on Wednesday and Thursday.
The visit comes after India recently confirmed plans to place a major Rafale order, following the signing of a landmark free trade agreement between India and the European Union in January.
Potential “Contract of the Century”
Over the past decade, India has aimed to reduce reliance on Russia, its traditional military supplier, while increasing domestic production and exploring partnerships with other nations.
According to a statement from India’s defence ministry last week, the proposed Rafale purchase has been approved, with most jets expected to be assembled in India. While the exact number hasn’t been officially confirmed, a defence ministry source indicated that 114 aircraft are likely.
Christophe Jaffrelot, a scholar on Indian politics at Sciences Po Center for International Studies in Paris, described the potential $35 billion Rafale deal as the “contract of the century” and a major milestone in Indo-French relations.
If finalized, the new purchase would supplement India’s existing fleet of 36 Rafale jets acquired in 2016 for the air force, and 26 jets ordered for the navy. Negotiations with manufacturer Dassault Aviation are ongoing, but the French presidency expressed optimism about reaching what it calls a “historic” agreement.
Expanding Defence and Economic Ties
On Tuesday, Macron and Modi will also inaugurate India’s first helicopter final assembly line via videoconference from Mumbai. This joint venture between Tata Group and Airbus, located in Vemagal, Karnataka near Bengaluru, will assemble the Airbus H125, the company’s top-selling single-engine helicopter.
France has grown into one of India’s key defence and economic partners over the last decade. Macron’s office said the visit aims to strengthen cooperation and diversify economic and trade ties.
India, with a population of 1.4 billion, is poised to become the world’s fourth-largest economy. Talks this week are also expected to cover global economic challenges, including trade policies under former US President Donald Trump and China’s regional influence.
Modi’s office stated that discussions would focus on consolidating the strategic partnership and expanding it into emerging areas. Annual bilateral trade between the two nations, largely driven by defence and aerospace, stands at roughly $18 billion, while French foreign investment in India totals nearly $15 billion.
Observers note that the personal rapport between the two leaders is strong, which could facilitate closer cooperation.
A sensitive topic, however, remains Ukraine. India has not formally condemned Russia’s 2022 invasion and continues to import Russian oil. While former US President Trump indicated India had agreed to halt purchases, this has not been officially confirmed.
Jaffrelot added, “If India stops buying Russian oil, it would avoid criticism for abstaining at the UN.”