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Macron visits India as $35bn Rafale talks advance

Kagi News | 2026-02-16 19:06 UTC | source

🤝 French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Mumbai for a three-day visit to India, with a focus on closer security ties and new cooperation on artificial intelligence 1245. A central item on the agenda is a potential multibillion-dollar deal for India to buy 114 additional Dassault Rafale fighter jets 145.

Le Monde reports that France is ready to offer significant concessions as talks continue over details, including local production 3.

Mumbai, India
France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron are welcomed by India’s officials upon their arrival in Mumbai on February 17, 2026.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron are welcomed by India’s officials upon their arrival in Mumbai on February 17, 2026. — AFP

Sources

  1. France’s Macron eyes Rafale fighter jet deal in India [dawn.com] (2026-02-17)
  2. AI Summit To Potential Rafale Contract: What's On Macron's India Agenda [ndtv.com] (2026-02-17)
  3. France ready to offer major concessions to sell Rafale jets to India [lemonde.fr] (2026-02-16)
  4. France's Macron begins 3-day India visit today, eyes fighter jet deal [firstpost.com] (2026-02-16)
  5. Macron arrives in India as blockbuster fighter jet deal nears [ft.com] (2026-02-17)

Highlights

  1. Mumbai to Delhi: Macron is set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, then head to New Delhi for an AI summit on Wednesday and Thursday 12.
  2. Record-setting claim: The Financial Times says a sale of more than 100 Rafales would be the biggest ever for New Delhi and for Dassault Aviation if it goes through 5.
  3. Wider context: This is Macron’s fourth trip to India since taking office in 2017, coming soon after India and the European Union signed a landmark free trade agreement in January 1.
  4. Broader backdrop: The visit follows India’s confirmation last week that it plans to place a major Rafale order 1.
An Indian squadron of Rafale jets during a parade in New Delhi, India, on January 26, 2026.
An Indian squadron of Rafale jets during a parade in New Delhi, India, on January 26, 2026. — lemonde.fr

Perspectives

French government (negotiating stance): France is ready to offer major concessions to clinch the Rafale sale, though talks are still focused on details such as local production.

Christophe Jaffrelot (Sciences Po): The India specialist called the prospective Rafale agreement the “contract of the century,” and said it could become a crowning achievement for bilateral ties.