Modi & Macron Launch India-France Innovation Year 2026 in Mumbai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron will inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 during Macron's official visit to Mumbai. The leaders will hold a bilateral summit to review and diversify the strategic partnership, with discussions on new and emerging areas. Their agenda includes addressing an innovation forum and exchanging views on regional and global issues. The visit underscores deepening cooperation in defence, space, civil nuclear energy, and particularly in Artificial Intelligence.

Key Points: Modi, Macron Inaugurate India-France Year of Innovation 2026

  • Inaugurate Innovation Year 2026
  • Review strategic partnership
  • Focus on AI & emerging tech
  • Host AI Impact Summit
3 min read

PM Modi, President Macron to inaugurate India-France Year of Innovation 2026

PM Modi and President Macron meet in Mumbai to launch the Innovation Year 2026, focusing on AI, strategic partnership, and bilateral cooperation.

"deepen collaboration in innovation, technology, research, and people-to-people exchanges - Official Statement"

New Delhi, February 16

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Mumbai on Tuesday where he will meet French President Emmanuel Macron and the leaders will inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 as per an official statement from the Prime Minister's Office.

President Emmanuel Macron will be on an official visit to India from February 17-19 February at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in the AI Impact Summit hosted by India, as well as hold a bilateral summit with the Prime Minister in Mumbai. This will be President Macron's fourth visit to India and his first visit to Mumbai.

The official statement noted that around 3:15 PM on 17 February, the two leaders will hold bilateral engagements at Lok Bhavan, Mumbai. During these engagements, they will review the progress made in the India-France Strategic Partnership. Their discussions will focus on cementing the strategic partnership and further diversifying it into new and emerging areas. Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance.

The statement added that at around 5:15 PM, the two leaders will inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 and address a gathering of business leaders, start-ups, researchers, and other innovators from both countries.

Macron's upcoming visit comes against the backdrop of a steadily deepening partnership between India and France across defence, space, civil nuclear energy, climate action, education and people-to-people exchanges.

According to the MEA, in Mumbai, the two leaders will exchange MOUs followed by a press statement. The Hotel Taj Mahal Palace will host an India-France Innovation Forum, followed by the India-France Year of Innovation and Cultural Commemoration at the Gateway of India.

Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Madame Brigitte Macron will visit Mumbai and Delhi during their visit to India from February 16-19, the ministry said.

The Year of Innovation 2026 initiative will be celebrated throughout the year in both countries and aims to deepen collaboration in innovation, technology, research, and people-to-people exchanges.

This will mark French President Macron's fourth visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, signalling sustained momentum in the India-France strategic partnership, with a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) cooperation and emerging technologies.

As New Delhi transforms itself into the epicentre of the world's most consequential conversation on artificial intelligence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Global AI Impact Expo.

Ahead of the Summit, he welcomed the delegates coming to India and highlighted the country's progress in the field of science and tech--making an indelible contribution to global development.

PM Modi will inaugurate the India AI Impact Expo 2026 at the Bharat Mandapam in the national capital.

An unprecedented roster of Presidents, Prime Ministers, Crown Princes, and the brightest minds from Silicon Valley and beyond will converse at the Bharat Mandapam as India is set to host the AI Impact Summit 2026

From February 16 to 20, the Impact Summit, the first international AI summit hosted in the Global South, showcases New Delhi's ambition: to shape an AI future that is inclusive, responsible, and impactful.

At the core is India's audacious vision for sovereign AI.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Great to see Mumbai getting this international spotlight. The Innovation Forum at the Taj and event at Gateway of India will be spectacular. Hope this leads to more opportunities for our startups and researchers here in Maharashtra.
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Sarah B
As someone working in tech, the 'sovereign AI' vision is crucial. We can't just rely on foreign models. Partnerships like this for knowledge exchange and joint research are the way forward. Hope it translates into real projects and not just MOUs.
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Rohit P
While the optics are good, I hope the discussions go beyond defence deals. True innovation partnership means French universities opening more campuses here, easier visas for Indian students, and joint ventures in green tech. That's the real test.
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Karthik V
Hosting the first AI summit in the Global South is a big deal. It shows India's leadership. Macron's fourth visit also signals strong continuity in the relationship, which is rare in international politics. Jai Hind!
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Nisha Z
The Year of Innovation sounds promising. But I sincerely hope the benefits reach beyond IITs and big cities. We need innovation in agriculture, water management, and public health that impacts common people in villages and small towns.

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