News Desk: In a significant relief for Indian travellers, France has scrapped the requirement of an airport transit visa (ATV) for Indian nationals, effective April 10, 2026. The decision allows Indians holding ordinary passports to transit through the international zones of French airports without needing a visa—provided they remain within the transit area and are en route to a third country.
The announcement was confirmed by the Embassy of France in India, which clarified that the exemption applies strictly to airside transit passengers who do not exit the international zone during layovers.
The move follows a commitment made by French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to India earlier this year, aimed at easing travel procedures for Indian citizens.
Welcoming the development, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the policy reflects the growing depth of bilateral ties. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that the agreement to remove transit visa requirements was reached during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Macron in Mumbai in February.
#WATCH LIVE | Addressing the weekly media briefing, Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson, @MEAIndia says, “The Government of #France has operationalised the agreement to remove the requirement of airport transit visas for Indian passport holders transiting through mainland France… pic.twitter.com/VWXjlLt7T1
— DD India (@DDIndialive) April 23, 2026
“The Government of France has now operationalised this agreement. Indian nationals transiting through mainland France exclusively by air will no longer need a transit visa from April 10, 2026,” Jaiswal said.
Officials described the move as part of the expanding India–France “special global strategic partnership,” expected to facilitate smoother movement of people and strengthen people-to-people connections.
Broader Diplomatic Signals
In the same briefing, the MEA also welcomed Japan’s review of its defence equipment transfer principles, calling it a positive step for deepening defence and security cooperation under the India–Japan strategic partnership framework.
On trade, Jaiswal confirmed that negotiations for a proposed India–US bilateral trade agreement are ongoing in Washington, D.C.. Both sides, he said, are working toward a balanced and mutually beneficial pact, with an ambitious target of reaching $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
Bottom Line:
France’s visa-free airport transit policy marks a tangible win for Indian travellers and underscores the steady momentum in India’s global diplomatic and mobility partnerships.
