French President Emmanuel Macron is making headlines not just for diplomacy but for his genuine affection for Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared on X after their meeting: a snapshot of camaraderie and Macron’s glowing review of the city. ‘Met my friend President Macron in Mumbai! He loves the city and relished his morning run,’ Modi captioned.
Touching down Tuesday dawn with First Lady Brigitte, Macron wasted no time embracing Mumbai’s spirit. Dressed in sporty blue attire, he jogged along Marine Drive, drawing admiration for his fitness zeal. Security was tight, with French and Indian teams, plus Mumbai police, ensuring safety.
Official welcomes came from Governor Acharya Devvrat and CM Devendra Fadnavis at the airport. The itinerary included a poignant homage at the Taj to 26/11 martyrs. Bollywood met global diplomacy as Macron chatted with stars like Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee, Shabana Azmi, Zoya Akhtar, and Richa Chadha.
Evening highlights feature the launch of India-France Innovation Year 2026 by Modi and Macron, speeches to business leaders, innovators, and experts. Macron’s agenda extends to Delhi’s AI Impact Summit. His fourth Indian sojourn—first in Mumbai—builds on visits in 2018, G20 2023, and Republic Day 2024.
India-France bonds, forged in 1998, excel in defense, tech, space, and energy. This tour underscores renewed commitment to collaborative progress.