PM Modi welcomes French President Macron on fourth India visit: 'See you in Mumbai, my dear friend!'

The development came hours after France President Emmanuel Macron landed in Mumbai for his high-stakes three day India visit at the invitation of PM Modi.

Priya Rawat
Priya Rawat
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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed France President Emmanuel Macron to India, following his landing the country and expressed confidence that the visit will elevate India-France relations to new heights.

The development came hours after Macron landed in Mumbai for his high-stakes three day India visit at the invitation of PM Modi.

What did PM Modi say?

PM Modi on Tuesday shared the France President's X post and said that he would see Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai and later in the national capital.

Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, "Welcome to India! India looks forward to your visit and to advancing our bilateral ties to new heights. I am confident that our discussions will further strengthen cooperation across sectors and contribute to global progress. See you in Mumbai and later in Delhi, my dear friend Emmanuel Macron."

Welcome to India!

India looks forward to your visit and to advancing our bilateral ties to new heights. I am confident that our discussions will further strengthen cooperation across sectors and contribute to global progress.

See you in Mumbai and later in Delhi, my dear friend… https://t.co/5gDTDt6llp

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 17, 2026

Highlighting the significance of the visit, Prime Minister Modi said that the engagements in Mumbai and later in Delhi will provide fresh momentum to the strategic partnership between the two nations. 

Pm Modi reaffirmed that their collaboration will continue to benefit not only both countries but also the wider global community.

How special is this visit of Macron to India?

President Macron, accompanied by First Lady Brigitte Macron, is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi later on Tuesday.

This is Macron's fourth visit to India, and his first to Mumbai. First he came in 2018, then as the chief guest of the 2023 G20 Summit and Republic Day in 2024. This time the focus is on further strengthening the strategic partnership – Macron himself wrote on X that this visit will give new heights to Indo-French relations.

The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in areas including defence, trade, technology, clean energy, and strategic partnerships.

Following engagements in Mumbai, the French President and the Prime Minister will travel to New Delhi to attend the India AI Impact Summit 2026.