France’s President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in India for a high-level diplomatic visit expected to accelerate strategic, defence and technology cooperation between the two countries, with focus centred on a proposed multi-billion-dollar fighter aircraft agreement involving Rafale jets.
Macron landed in Mumbai before heading to New Delhi, where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and participate in a global artificial intelligence summit. His visit comes at a crucial time as India and France move closer to concluding what could become India’s largest-ever defence procurement — the proposed purchase of 114 Rafale fighter aircraft.
Rafale Fighter Jet Deal in Advanced Talks
The proposed deal, estimated at around $35 billion, would mark the biggest single export order for Dassault Aviation and significantly expand India’s Rafale fleet. Indian defence authorities recently cleared the acquisition proposal, though final approval and signing are still subject to last-mile negotiations, particularly over pricing and production details.
Officials on both sides have indicated that while progress is substantial, certain commercial and technical terms are still under discussion. As a result, the agreement may not be formally signed during Macron’s current visit.
If finalised, the project is expected to include large-scale assembly and component manufacturing in India, aligning with New Delhi’s push to strengthen domestic defence production and aerospace capability.
French engine manufacturer Safran is also reportedly in talks to support local engine manufacturing and technology collaboration as part of the broader package.
Boost to India’s Air Power and Defence Modernisation
India is seeking to urgently expand and modernise its fighter fleet as the Indian Air Force continues to operate well below its sanctioned squadron strength. Defence analysts say the additional Rafale jets would form a key part of India’s combat capability through the 2030s and 2040s until next-generation fighter platforms are deployed at scale.
India previously inducted 36 Rafale fighters for the Air Force and later cleared a separate batch for naval operations. Alongside imports, India is also developing indigenous fighter platforms such as the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited-built Tejas, though engine and production capacity constraints have slowed expansion.
Wider Strategic and Business Engagement
Macron is accompanied by senior business leaders and technology executives, including representatives linked to AI startup Mistral and energy major EDF. Discussions are expected to cover artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, high technology, and industrial partnerships.
Bilateral trade between India and France currently stands at roughly €15 billion annually, with both governments aiming to deepen cooperation under a shared vision of strategic autonomy and diversified global partnerships.
The potential Rafale expansion deal is also seen as part of a broader western effort to deepen defence ties with India and gradually reduce its long-standing dependence on Russian-origin military platforms, while India continues to maintain a multi-alignment strategy in global defence sourcing.
