NICE, FRANCE — In a unique blend of high-stakes diplomacy and pop culture, French President Emmanuel Macron added a distinct Bollywood twist to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Nice. Macron shared a cinematic recap video on his official X and Instagram accounts set to the popular track ‘Aari Aari’ from the Indian film ‘Dhurandhar’, capturing the key moments of their bilateral engagements.
The video, which quickly went viral online, opens with a warm handshake and a hug between the two leaders before launching into a montage of their meetings. Serving as a cinematic “thank you” from the French presidency, the clip highlights India and France’s growing alignment on technology, defense, and innovation.
Responding to the viral post, Prime Minister Modi thanked Macron, reaffirming that India and France will continue to work hand-in-hand across emerging industries, technology, and global innovation.
Deepening the Strategic Ties
The social media diplomacy underscored a highly productive visit focused on the future. Meeting at the historic Villa Kerylos in Nice, this was the first formal sit-down between Modi and Macron since the two nations officially elevated their relationship to a Special Global Strategic Partnership earlier this year.
The bilateral talks covered a robust agenda, including:
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Defense & Space: Expanding joint defense manufacturing capabilities and charting new opportunities in human spaceflight.
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Clean Energy: Exploring collaboration on small modular reactors (SMRs) to boost nuclear energy cooperation.
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Advanced Tech: Deepening ties in cybersecurity, quantum computing, and trade.
The Centerpiece: Bharat Innovates 2026
Technology and artificial intelligence took center stage during the trip. Prior to their closed-door bilateral meeting, both leaders jointly inaugurated the Bharat Innovates 2026 conclave in Nice. Addressing an audience of tech leaders and entrepreneurs, Modi and Macron mapped out a shared vision for AI, aerospace development, and start-up ecosystems, hot on the heels of the Global AI Summit hosted by France.
A Growing Trend in French Diplomacy
This isn’t Macron’s first time using the Dhurandhar soundtrack to connect with Indian audiences. Earlier this year, the French President used music associated with the same film for a farewell video following his state visit to India.
The strategic use of Bollywood music has been widely praised by digital analysts and social media users as an effective tool of soft-power diplomacy, reflecting a deep-seated cultural connection that parallels the growing geopolitical alliance between Paris and New Delhi.
