New Delhi:
In a significant diplomatic and technological endeavor, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit France in February, where he will participate in the ‘Artificial Intelligence Action Summit’ hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. This state visit, scheduled for February 11-12, marks a crucial moment in the bilateral relations between India and France, particularly in the realms of artificial intelligence and defence cooperation.
Addressing a gathering of French Ambassadors, President Macron announced that the AI Summit will serve as a platform for international discussions on artificial intelligence, involving major global players such as the United States, China, and India, as well as the Gulf States. “This summit will enable us to have a dialogue with all the powers on AI,” Macron stated, emphasizing the importance of India’s role in this global dialogue.
The AI Action Summit, to be held at the Grand Palais in Paris, will bring together heads of state, government leaders, business executives, academics, and representatives from civil society and non-governmental organizations. The event aims to address critical issues such as the misuse and misinformation related to AI, while also focusing on innovation, talent attraction, and positioning France and Europe at the forefront of the global AI landscape.
In addition to the AI summit, PM Modi’s visit is expected to facilitate the finalization of two significant defence deals between India and France. These deals, valued at $10 billion, include the purchase of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers and three additional Scorpene-class submarines. According to Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, the Navy Chief, these deals are in the final stages of negotiation and are expected to be completed soon.
The defence agreements are part of a broader strengthening of the India-France Strategic Partnership, which was reaffirmed during the leaders’ previous meetings, including on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil and the G7 Summit in Italy. PM Modi’s last visit to France was in July 2023 as the guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade, followed by President Macron’s visit to India as the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations in January 2024.
The upcoming visit and summit underscore the deepening cooperation between India and France across multiple sectors, from cutting-edge technology to strategic defence partnerships.
