French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that he will travel to India next month, coinciding with New Delhi’s preparations to host the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Macron made the announcement while addressing members of the Diplomatic Corps, where he reflected on the achievements and direction of French diplomacy over the past year. His remarks underscored France’s growing engagement with India on global technology and strategic issues.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for February 19 and 20 in New Delhi, was formally announced earlier by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the France AI Action Summit. The event is set to make history as the first global artificial intelligence summit to be hosted in the Global South. The summit is expected to bring together global leaders, policymakers, and technology experts to discuss the future of artificial intelligence, its governance, and its role in shaping societies and economies worldwide.
Macron’s proposed visit highlights the increasing alignment between India and France on emerging technologies and global governance. The summit is being positioned as a platform for inclusive and responsible AI development, with India aiming to amplify the voice of developing nations in global technology discussions. France’s participation at the highest political level reflects its support for this broader vision.
Earlier, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had also hinted at Macron’s upcoming visit during his meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. Jaishankar noted that India and France are actively collaborating across multiple international forums and share a commitment to strengthening multipolarity in global affairs. According to him, cooperation between the two countries extends beyond bilateral interests and plays a stabilising role in an increasingly complex international environment.
India and France have steadily deepened their strategic partnership in recent years, working closely on issues such as defence, climate action, technology, and global governance reforms. Their coordination on artificial intelligence reflects a shared belief in balancing innovation with ethical responsibility and inclusive growth. Both countries have consistently advocated for frameworks that ensure emerging technologies benefit societies at large rather than a select few.
Macron’s planned visit to India ahead of the AI Impact Summit signals the importance Paris places on its relationship with New Delhi. As India prepares to host a global conversation on artificial intelligence, the visit is expected to further strengthen diplomatic ties and reinforce the shared objective of shaping a stable, multipolar, and technology-driven global order.
