French President Emmanuel Macron praised the India-France relationship, emphasizing its unique level of mutual trust. During his visit, he engaged in various activities, including a morning jog at Marine Drive and paying tribute to the 2008 Mumbai terror attack victims. Macron, alongside PM Modi, discussed the future through the Horizon 2047 roadmap, highlighting the boundless nature of the partnership.
Macron reaffirmed France’s support for India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative and commended India’s approval for 114 Rafale fighter jets, many of which will be manufactured in India. He stressed the significance of their defense cooperation in establishing a shared industrial base for global security. Additionally, Macron inaugurated the Airbus H125 helicopter assembly line in India, focusing on producing aircraft suitable for extreme environments like the Himalayas.
The French President launched the official India-France Year of Innovation, signaling a shift towards exchanging ideas beyond goods. He announced incentives for Indian tech talent to collaborate with French counterparts, particularly in Green Tech and Space sectors. Macron also highlighted upcoming academic and cultural exchanges aimed at fostering closer ties between the youth of both nations through shared research and technology.
