New Delhi has sought over the past decade to reduce its dependence on Russia, its traditional main supplier of military equipment, turning to other countries like France while also pushing for more domestic production.
An Indian defence ministry statement last week said the proposed purchase of Rafale jets had been cleared -- with "the majority" of them to be manufactured in India.
Christophe Jaffrelot, an India specialist at Sciences Po Center for International Studies in Paris, described the potential €30 billion ($35 billion) deal for 114 Rafales as the "contract of the century".
If finalised, the jets would add to the 62 Rafales that India has already purchased. The French presidency has voiced optimism that what it calls a "historic" agreement could be reached.
Narendra Modi and Macron also inaugurated via videoconference, India's first helicopter final assembly line, a joint venture between India's Tata Group and French major Airbus.
The facility in Vemagal, in the southern state of Karnataka near the tech hub of Bengaluru, will manufacture the Airbus H125, the company's best-selling single-engine helicopter.
France has emerged as one of India's most important defence and economic partners in the last decade. "Through this visit, we seek to further strengthen cooperation" with India, and to "diversify" France's economic and trade partnerships, Macron's office said.
India, the world's most populous country with 1.4 billion people, is on track to become the fourth-largest economy globally.
This week's talks are also expected to address global economic uncertainty triggered by tariff policies under US President Donald Trump, as well as China's influence in the region. Bilateral trade between France and India, driven largely by defence and aerospace -- India's commercial fleet includes a substantial number of Airbus aircraft -- stands at around €15 billion ($18 billion) annually.
French foreign direct investment in India totals nearly €13 billion ($15 billion). The two leaders will also be keen to nurture close personal ties.
"There is apparently a good chemistry, a good personal rapport," Jaffrelot said.
One sensitive issue remains Ukraine: India has not condemned Russia's 2022 invasion and has continued buying oil from Moscow.
US President Donald Trump has said India had committed to halting the purchases, though that has not been formally confirmed by New Delhi.
"If the Indians stop buying Russian oil, they won't be blamed for abstaining at the UN," Jaffrelot added.
Macron, on his fourth visit to India since taking office in 2017, began today with a programme including honouring the victims of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and meeting Bollywood film stars, including Shabana Azmi and Manoj Bajpayee.
He called Modi his "dear friend" in a post on X, saying they will "go even further" in cooperation.
The visit follows New Delhi's confirmation last week that it intends to place a major order for Rafale jets, as well as the signing of a landmark free trade agreement between India and the European Union in January.
India-France ties elevated to Special Strategic Partnership, says Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the warm welcome on his fourth official visit to India, describing bilateral ties as “remarkable and unique”. He said the two nations have decided to elevate their relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership, built on trust, openness and ambition.
Macron highlighted cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, technology and rule-based order, and cited joint initiatives such as the IMEC corridor, artificial intelligence collaboration and the International Solar Alliance, noting that both countries have charted new paths together over the past eight years.
Helicopter assembly line reflects deep India-France trust, says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the inauguration of the helicopter assembly line in India reflects the deep trust between New Delhi and Paris. Highlighting the joint manufacturing initiative with France, Modi said India and France will produce in India the world’s only helicopter capable of flying to the heights of Mount Everest, with plans to export it globally.
He added that the India–France partnership
has “no boundaries”, extending from the deep oceans to the tallest mountains.
Ends
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