Macron to visit India Feb 17-19; defence deals, AI Summit, Horizon 2047 on agenda

• French President Emmanuel Macron will visit India from February 17 to 19, following an invitation from PM Narendra Modi.
• Macron will participate in the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 19.
• The visit reflects the mutual trust and depth of the India-France Strategic Partnership, with PM Modi's reciprocal visit to France in February 2025.
• Discussions will cover regional and global issues, including Indo-Pacific cooperation, and strengthening bilateral ties across defence, space, technology, and sustainability as per the Horizon 2047 Roadmap.
• Potential defence deals include the Indian Air Force's proposal for 114 more Rafale fighter jets, valued at over ₹2 lakh crore, with a significant 'Make in India' component.