Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Paris on Monday noon (February 10). The PM will be on a three day visit to France (till February 12) at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. This visit is a key moment in strengthening the relationship between India and France, and will cover major topics, including artificial intelligence (AI) and nuclear energy.

At a special briefing in New Delhi ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s visit, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri shared details about it. According to him a major event during the visit will be the AI Action Summit, which PM Modi will co-chair with President Macron on February 11. The summit focuses on the global governance of AI, a rapidly growing field that has many impacts on society.

As India plays an important role in the future of AI, PM Modi’s participation in this summit will highlight India’s interest in ensuring that AI is used responsibly. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, “The visit will include a substantial bilateral component.”

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This AI summit is the third of its kind, following similar events in the UK and the Republic of Korea in recent years. These discussions aim to create rules and guidelines for the development and use of AI technologies. India’s focus will be on ensuring AI is designed and used safely, responsibly, and in a way that benefits everyone.

The visit is also an opportunity to continue building the relationship between the two leaders. President Macron was the guest of honor at India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations in January 2024, and PM Modi and President Macron have met several times in the past year, including at the G7 and G20 summits. Foreign Secretary Misri pointed out that the two leaders have been in regular touch, highlighting the close ties between the two countries.

Bilateral Talks

After the AI summit, PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with President Macron. They will also attend the India-France CEOs Forum, which will focus on strengthening trade, business, and economic ties between the two nations. The two leaders are expected to discuss areas like space, renewable energy, and innovation. These talks are set to take place in restricted format as well as at the delegation level.

The trip also includes a visit to Marseille, where President Macron will host a dinner in honor of PM Modi on the evening of February 11. On February 12, the two leaders will visit the Mazargues War Cemetery in Marseille, where they will pay tribute to Indian soldiers who fought and died during World War I. This visit is especially significant, as it honours the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers as part of the British Indian Army.

The Mazargues War Cemetery, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, holds the graves of many Indian soldiers who fought in France during the war.

One of the important agenda of the visit will be the opening of a new Indian consulate in Marseille, which will provide better services to Indian citizens and people of Indian origin living in southern France. According to Ministry of External Affairs many Indians live and work in cities such as Marseille, Toulouse, and Nice, and this new consulate will help strengthen ties with the Indian community there.

In addition, PM Modi and President Macron will visit Cadarache, a site in France known for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). ITER is an important project that aims to create clean nuclear fusion energy, and India is a partner in this global effort.

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is also a key part of the ongoing Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant project in India, which involves French technology and expertise. Foreign Secretary Misri mentioned that while there are some “financial and technical issues” related to the Jaitapur project, both countries are working to address them.

Additionally, PM Modi’s trip comes at a time when India is considering changes to its Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, which could improve international cooperation on nuclear energy, not just with France but also with other countries like the United States.

Responding to media queries, Misri said that India and France are also looking into new types of nuclear reactors called Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs). These smaller reactors are seen as a way to provide safer and more sustainable nuclear energy. Both countries are excited about the possibilities of working together to develop these technologies.

This visit comes after India and France celebrated the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership in 2024. This partnership covers a wide range of areas, from defense and security to space cooperation, trade, and climate change. The partnership is also expanding to include areas like health cooperation, counterterrorism, and maritime security.