Analysts identified the main goal of the trip as the intention to finalize a contract for the supply of 114 fighters to India.
Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by his wife, made an official visit to India - the fourth during his presidency.
The Élysée Palace stated that as part of this visit, the presidential couple intended to "strengthen their partnership in the future with a country of a billion people."
During their stay, the Macrons resided at the colonial-historic Taj Mahal Palace hotel, popular among politicians and monarchs.
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The President of France and his wife paid tribute to the victims of the 2008 terrorist attacks, which resulted in the deaths of 175 people, including two French citizens. During lunch, E. Macron met with six Indian cinema stars to discuss "potential cooperation" in film production and to "emphasize France's attractiveness for filming." The Prime Minister of India joined E. Macron for a series of negotiations. This was followed by press statements and a joint dinner at the Taj Mahal hotel. The President of France and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi solemnly inaugurated the assembly line for civil and military Airbus H125 helicopters, located near Bangalore (in southern India), via video conference from Mumbai. The Macrons then headed to New Delhi for an artificial intelligence summit. "Three days from Mumbai to New Delhi to further deepen our strategic partnership," E. Macron described the goals of his visit on his social media page X.
However, analysts identified the main goal of the trip as the expectation of "announcements" and "contracts" in healthcare, agriculture, and artificial intelligence. But the primary aim of the trip, analysts say, is Macron's intention to finalize a contract for the supply of 114 Rafale fighters to India for a record €30 billion. The Élysée Palace is "optimistic" about concluding this "historic contract."
The French president was accompanied on his trip by four ministers, including the Minister of Armed Forces and the Minister of Economy, as well as about a hundred French CEOs, including leaders from Dassault, Schneider Electric, and Mistral AI, as well as heads of small and medium-sized enterprises and startups.
Macron did not arrive in India empty-handed. For Prime Minister Modi, the French president prepared an original gift: a specially created vest.
The blue vest, referencing France and adorned with embroidery inspired by the Indian flag, was conceived as a tribute to Indian culture and French craftsmanship.
The Élysée Palace commissioned it from Parisian designer Mossi Traoré, who has been fascinated by India since his teenage years. "I wanted to create something traditional, yet modern at the same time," explains the head of the Mossi brand.
The idea was to bring a touch of modernity with double-breasted fastenings, crossed details, and cut pockets. The designer, who considers it a great honor to showcase French craftsmanship and participated in Macron's previous trip to India, received the offer from the Élysée Palace just ten days ago. But for the stylist, this was not a cause for concern, as he was assisted by other experienced craftsmen.
The fabrics for the vest, made from Lyon silk, were provided by Sfate & Combier, while Maison Pétrusse designed the silk pocket square, after which the items were sewn by seamstresses at Atelier Caraco in Paris.
"I hope the Prime Minister appreciates our work! I can’t wait to see him in this vest," adds the Parisian, who has already collaborated with Bollywood stars like Aishwarya Rai.
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