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Manoj Bajpayee Meets French President Macron, Praises Cultural Vision

National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee met French President Emmanuel Macron during the President's official visit to Mumbai. Bajpayee shared an Instagram post praising Macron's clarity and depth on cinema and cultural storytelling as tools for international bridge-building. President Macron's visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to strengthen the India-France Strategic Partnership across defence, trade, and technology. The agenda includes inaugurating the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 and key discussions at the India-AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.

Key Points: Manoj Bajpayee Meets French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai

  • Manoj Bajpayee meets French President
  • Macron on 3-day India visit
  • Discussions on India-France Strategic Partnership
  • Focus on cinema, culture & innovation
  • Defence & AI collaboration on agenda
2 min read

Manoj Bajpayee meets French President Emmanuel Macron, praises his clarity and depth around cinema

Actor Manoj Bajpayee meets French President Emmanuel Macron during his India visit, praising cultural dialogue and leadership.

"What stood out was... the clarity and depth of the exchange around cinema, culture, and the role of storytelling in building bridges between countries - Manoj Bajpayee"

Mumbai, Feb 17

National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee met the President of France, Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai. On Tuesday, the actor took to his Instagram, and shared a picture with the French President.

He also penned a long note in the caption, as he wrote, "It was an honour meeting President Emmanuel Macron at today's luncheon, along with other dignitaries. What stood out was not just the warmth of the interaction with him, but the clarity and depth of the exchange around cinema, culture, and the role of storytelling in building bridges between countries".

He further mentioned, "Conversations like these, on how India and France can work together more closely in cinema and culture, remind you of how important thoughtful leadership and cultural dialogue are in today's world".

Emmanuel Macron is on a three-day official visit to India from February 17 to February 19, 2026, arriving first in Mumbai and then travelling to New Delhi for the India-AI Impact Summit 2026. The visit was at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and was the French president's fourth official trip to India.

The core purpose was to review and strengthen the India-France Strategic Partnership under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, with discussions covering defence cooperation, trade, technology, and regional and global issues of mutual interest. In Mumbai, Macron and Modi were scheduled to jointly inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, aimed at boosting collaborative research, innovation and industrial engagement.

The French president's agenda includes bilateral talks with Modi, participation in innovation forums, and attendance at the AI summit in New Delhi. Defence ties, particularly potential agreements on additional Rafale fighter jets and broader industrial cooperation, were expected to feature in the discussions, alongside collaboration on artificial intelligence, innovation, and strategic sectors.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
This is fantastic. Cultural diplomacy is so important. While defence and AI summits are crucial, these soft power interactions through cinema build lasting people-to-people connections. Hope this leads to more co-productions between our film industries!
A
Aman W
Respectfully, while I appreciate the gesture, I hope the focus remains on the substantial issues like the Rafale deal and technology transfer. These photo-ops with celebrities, though nice, shouldn't overshadow the core strategic partnership.
S
Sarah B
As someone who loves both French and Indian cinema, this is heartwarming! The exchange of ideas between two such rich cinematic cultures can only lead to amazing art. Looking forward to the 'Year of Innovation' outcomes too.
V
Vikram M
Manoj Bajpayee is the perfect ambassador for meaningful cinema. Not a star obsessed with box office, but an actor dedicated to the craft. If Macron is engaging with him, it shows he's done his homework about real Indian artistry, not just Bollywood glamour.
K
Karthik V
Strong ties with France are a cornerstone of our foreign policy. Good to see the visit covering all bases - from hard defence to soft culture. It's a holistic partnership. Jai Hind!

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