PM Modi To Co-Chair AI Action Summit In France; Talks On Defence, IMEC Corridor, And Nuclear Cooperation On Agenda

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a three-day visit to France starting 10 February, where he will co-chair the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, reported The Hindu.

The visit will also include high-level bilateral discussions, focusing on defence, energy, and economic partnerships between the two nations.

Agenda: AI Action Summit & Bilateral Talks

Upon arrival on 10 February, PM Modi will attend a VVIP summit dinner in Paris. The AI Action Summit, scheduled for 11 February, aims to shape global AI policies and strengthen India-France collaboration in AI-driven innovations.

The bilateral segment of the visit will commence in the afternoon of 11 February with a CEO roundtable chaired by Modi and Macron, bringing together top business leaders from both countries to explore investment opportunities.

Later, PM Modi will travel to Marseille, where India is set to open a new consulate. The leaders will hold bilateral talks in Marseille, followed by a private dinner.

Strategic Announcements Expected

During the visit, major announcements are anticipated in defence cooperation, Small Modular Reactors (SMR), and aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sectors.

Additionally, both countries will adopt a France-India roadmap on AI, further strengthening their technological collaboration.

President Macron emphasised the significance of the AI Summit, stating, "France will be hosting on February 11-12 the AI Summit, a summit for action. This summit will enable us to have an international discussion on artificial intelligence. PM Modi will be there immediately after his State visit to our country, and this will enable us to have dialogue with all the powers on AI, U.S., China and major nations like India which has a role to play, as well as the Gulf States.”

Focus on IMEC & Educational Ties

A key discussion point during the Modi-Macron talks will be the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a project aimed at enhancing trade and connectivity between the three regions.

France is also focusing on strengthening educational ties with India and has set a target of welcoming 30,000 Indian students by 2030, up from the current 10,000.

PM Modi’s visit to France will conclude on 12 February, after which he will depart for the US on an official visit, continuing India’s global diplomatic engagements.

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