Macron-Modi talks in bombay spotlight Rafale expansion as Rajnath pushes India-made components
French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Mumbai on Feb. 17, 2026 (ET) brought fresh momentum to the bilateral relationship, with high-level talks ranging from defence procurement to industrial collaboration. Defence minister Rajnath Singh pressed for a larger India-made component in any future Rafale fighter-jet deal, while leaders also highlighted joint manufacturing milestones and broader economic ties.
High-stakes diplomacy in Mumbai underscores strategic upswing
The two leaders framed the visit as a step to deepen a multifaceted partnership that now spans defence, trade, technology and energy. At a joint appearance in Mumbai on Feb. 17, 2026 (ET), Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the relationship as a stabilising force amid shifting global alignments. The meeting highlighted both political trust and an appetite for expanding industrial cooperation, signaling that defence deals will be closely tied to local manufacturing and technology transfer goals.
Macron characterized the relationship as accelerating in response to international uncertainties and reiterated interest in a durable French role in the Indo-Pacific. The visit also emphasized economic engagement, with leaders pointing to private-sector initiatives and joint projects aimed at boosting domestic production capacity in India.
Rafale talks centre on localisation and a possible large purchase
Defence discussions featured the future of the Rafale programme. Defence minister Rajnath Singh urged French counterparts to "raise the India-made component" in any prospective Rafale deal, pressing for higher levels of indigenous production and supply-chain participation by Indian companies. The push reflects New Delhi's long-standing policy to use major defence purchases to accelerate domestic industry development and secure greater control over maintenance and upgrades.
French officials have discussed a potential multibillion-dollar package that could include as many as 114 additional fighters, a plan that would significantly expand air-capability cooperation. Any such agreement would hinge on negotiations around offsets, local assembly, technology transfer and long-term sustainment arrangements. Indian demands for higher domestic content aim to create jobs, strengthen suppliers and reduce dependence on foreign spares and technical help.
Industry tie-ups and technology projects broaden cooperation
Beyond fighters, the leaders marked the virtual inauguration of a final assembly line for H125 helicopters produced through a joint venture between an Indian private firm and a European manufacturer. The facility in Karnataka is billed as a first-of-its-kind private-sector helicopter production line in India and is meant to showcase how defence partnerships can translate into on-the-ground manufacturing capacity.
Talks also touched on collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, supply-chain resilience and investment. Both sides signalled readiness to deepen cooperation on civilian and dual-use technologies, aligning industrial policy with strategic objectives. For France, strengthening ties offers a longer-term foothold in the Indo-Pacific; for India, the focus remains on attracting capital and boosting domestic manufacturing capability.
Observers say the outcome of the discussions will be measured not only by headline purchase figures but by the substance of industrial commitments and timelines for local production. Defence procurement that embeds significant localisation could reshape supplier networks and create new strategic-industrial links between the two countries.
As the talks move from declarations to detailed negotiations, the next phase will focus on technical working groups, offset arrangements and timelines for transfer of know-how. For now, the Mumbai meetings have set the political framework: a higher India-made component in defence deals, expanded joint manufacturing and a widening economic agenda designed to deliver tangible industrial benefits.
