France and India hail growing ties as Modi hosts Macron

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 US$18 billion annually.

French foreign direct investment in India totals nearly US$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.

Macron, speaking alongside Modi in Mumbai, urged him to “support the establishment of an immediate and lasting moratorium on attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure” in Ukraine.