French President Praises India’s AI GrowthTop Stories

February 18, 2026 12:21

(Image source from: Twitter.com)

French leader Emmanuel Macron, Spanish leader Pedro Sanchez, and Google’s head Sundar Pichai are among the high-profile guests expected at the AI Impact Summit, which India will host in Delhi on Wednesday. This event, scheduled from February 16 to 20, comes after the UK’s inaugural AI Summit in 2023 and the one hosted by France in 2025, both emphasizing significant worldwide investment in AI. Macron and Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France, arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday for an official three-day trip to India, taking place from February 17 to 19, 2026. This marks Macron’s fourth formal visit to India. During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Macron expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and discussed his participation in the AI summit.

Prime Minister Modi and President Macron launched the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 at the Gateway of India. At the India-France Innovation Forum, Macron stated that the question is no longer if India innovates but rather who will collaborate with India on innovation. He expressed France’s desire to be that partner, stating, “We are here. We want to be here with you. And we are not leaving. ” He also declared that an Innovation Day will take place before the G7, driven by Franco-Indian projects and uniting students and researchers. Macron emphasized that France aims to be a reliable partner so that industries in both nations can create unique collaborations.

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is set to occur from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This marks the first significant global AI event held in the Global South. The summit, organized under the IndiaAI Mission, emphasizes themes related to People, Planet, and Progress. It will showcase 12 homegrown foundational models in 22 Indian languages and have pavilions from countries including France, Japan, and the UK. France will host the largest international pavilion, spanning 436 square meters, featuring 29 companies that will demonstrate AI across various sectors. After completing his visit to Mumbai, French President Emmanuel Macron has traveled to Delhi, where he will participate in the AI Impact Summit. He shared on X, “Thank you, Mumbai, for your welcome. Delhi, we’re on our way!”.