Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed French President Macron on his visit to India by tweeting on social media platform X. PM Modi wrote in his ex-post, ‘Welcome to India! India looks forward to your visit and taking our mutual relations to new heights, I am confident that our talks will further strengthen cooperation in various sectors and help in progress across the world. See you in Mumbai and later in Delhi, my dear friend Emmanuel Macron. It is noteworthy that French President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron reached Mumbai on Tuesday for their visit to India. His journey will continue till 19th February. The French President and the First Lady were welcomed at the Mumbai airport by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Will participate in India AI Impact Summit
President Macron and Prime Minister Modi will jointly participate in the India AI Impact Summit. Here the emphasis will be on increasing partnership on issues like Artificial Intelligence, Digital Governance and Cyber ​​Security. The two leaders can also take concrete decisions on joint projects in innovation, start-up cooperation, higher education and research under the India-France Innovation Forum.
Center will sign mega defense deal for 114 Rafale fighter planes
The biggest strategic attraction of Macron’s visit could be the mega defense deal of 114 Rafale fighter planes. This deal worth about Rs 3.25 lakh crore has recently received approval from the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC). The two leaders will also jointly inaugurate the final assembly line of Tata Airbus’ H125 Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) at Vemagal, Karnataka.
There will be talks on other issues also
Defence, emerging technology, maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region, joint naval exercises and intelligence sharing, space, nuclear energy and global geopolitical issues are expected to be at the center of attention in his bilateral talks with PM Modi. In recent years, both the countries have taken their relations from a strategic partnership to a comprehensive global partnership.