From AI to nuclear cooperation: What to look forward to in Modi-Macron meet
New Delhi [India]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit France for three days starting Monday, February 12, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The visit will include a series of high-level engagements, particularly focused on artificial intelligence (AI), defence, and deepening the India-France strategic partnership.
Co-chairing AI Summit with Macron
On February 11, PM Modi will co-chair the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit alongside President Macron. The event marks a major step in the growing bilateral collaboration on digital technologies, following recent discussions between the two leaders on enhancing cooperation in this field.
State Dinner and Bilateral Discussions
On February 10, PM Modi will attend a dinner hosted by President Macron at the Elysee Palace, which will honour visiting heads of government and heads of state. Following the AI summit, the two leaders will engage in bilateral talks, addressing key issues, including the India-France CEOs Forum.
Paying tribute to Indian soldiers
PM Modi and President Macron will also visit a World War I war cemetery on February 12 to pay tribute to the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the conflict. This visit is symbolic of the deep historical and cultural ties between the two nations.
Opening of Indian Consulate in Marseille
As part of the ongoing diplomatic and strategic efforts, PM Modi and President Macron will jointly inaugurate the Consulate General of India in Marseille. Additionally, they will visit Kadash, the site of the international thermal nuclear experimental reactor.
Strategic Partnership: A Long-standing Relationship
India and France share a robust and long-standing strategic partnership, one that dates back to the launch of their first-ever strategic cooperation in January 1998. This partnership has evolved to encompass defence, security, civil nuclear cooperation, space exploration, and a host of other critical areas.
In recent years, the partnership has expanded to include the Indo-Pacific region, digitalisation, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism efforts, and climate change. The close cooperation is also reflected in the significant cultural, academic, and economic ties between the two nations.
Milestones in the India-France Partnership
In 2023, India and France celebrated 25 years of their strategic partnership, marked by PM Modi's official visit to France as the Guest of Honour during the French National Day celebrations. Additionally, President Macron visited India as the Chief Guest for India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations in January 2024, underscoring the strength of the bilateral relationship.
The partnership has been consistently reinforced through multiple high-level exchanges. PM Modi and President Macron have met several times, including at the G20 Summit in Brazil and on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy. Notably, PM Modi's re-election in 2024 was followed by a phone call from President Macron to further strengthen bilateral ties.
Defence cooperation remains a cornerstone of the India-France relationship. Both countries have collaborated on several defence projects, including the purchase of Rafale aircraft and the P-75 Scorpene submarine project. Joint defence exercises between the two countries have also increased in complexity, with the recent SHAKTI 2024 Army exercise held in Meghalaya and the 17th round of Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks.
In the field of technology, India and France have made major strides, particularly in space and digital infrastructure. The countries have collaborated on joint satellite missions, with France being a crucial supplier of components for India’s space programme. Furthermore, the two countries have advanced multi-stakeholder exchanges on digital public infrastructure (DPI) through platforms like InFrastructures and InFinity.
Bilateral trade between India and France has seen impressive growth over the last decade, with trade volume exceeding USD 15 billion in 2023-24. Additionally, France remains one of India’s largest foreign investors, with cumulative investments of USD 10.94 billion. These economic ties are expected to deepen further as both countries focus on areas such as clean energy collaboration, smart manufacturing, and digital technologies.
India and France share a commitment to multilateralism, tackling global challenges such as counter-terrorism, climate change, and nuclear energy cooperation. The two countries have also worked together to enhance global supply chains, reflecting their growing convergence on a range of international issues.
A vibrant Indian diaspora
The Indian diaspora in France plays a major role in fostering cultural, academic, and economic exchanges between the two countries. With over 1,19,000 Indian nationals residing in mainland France, the community contributes to strengthening bilateral ties.
With ANI inputs