Mumbai, February 17 – National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai. On Tuesday, the actor shared a picture with the French President on his Instagram account.
He also wrote a lengthy caption, stating, "It was an honor to meet President Emmanuel Macron at today's luncheon, along with other dignitaries. What stood out was not just the warmth of the interaction, but also the clarity and depth of the exchange regarding cinema, culture, and the role of storytelling in building bridges between countries."
He further added, "Conversations like these, on how India and France can work more closely together in cinema and culture, remind you of how important thoughtful leadership and cultural dialogue are in today's world."
Emmanuel Macron is on a three-day official visit to India from February 17 to February 19, 2026, arriving first in Mumbai and then traveling to New Delhi for the India-AI Impact Summit 2026. The visit was at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and was the French president's fourth official trip to India.
The core purpose was to review and strengthen the India–France Strategic Partnership under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, with discussions covering defence cooperation, trade, technology, and regional and global issues of mutual interest. In Mumbai, Macron and Modi were scheduled to jointly inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, aimed at boosting collaborative research, innovation, and industrial engagement.
The French president's agenda includes bilateral talks with Modi, participation in innovation forums, and attendance at the AI summit in New Delhi. Discussions were expected to cover defence ties, particularly potential agreements on additional Rafale fighter jets and broader industrial cooperation, alongside collaboration on artificial intelligence, innovation, and strategic sectors.
