Shaun
In his address, PM Modi called for investment in skilling and reskilling people for an artificial intelligence (AI)- driven future. He also asserted that governance is about ensuring access to everyone, especially in the Global South.
France confirmed that India will be hosting the next AI summit after PM Modi expressed interest. India also assured France of full support for its initiatives on AI.
The prime minister also spoke at the India-France CEOS Forum in Paris where he encouraged partnerships between businesses in the two countries.
Highlighting progress in manufacturing, infrastructure and production across several fields, Modi called for businesses to join the Indian market as the country worked towards the goal of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
PM Modi France visit | Key highlights
- Modi attended a dinner hosted by President Macron at the Élysée Palace in honour of visiting Heads of Government and State. The dinner was also attended by tech CEOs and several other distinguished invitees to the summit.
- The AI Action Summit assumes significance in the wake of tech disruption by China’s DeepSeek. IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that India plans to develop a domestic AI model.
- Modi also addressed the India-France CEOs Forum where he encouraged businesses to enter the Indian market and highlighted the country’s progress on several fronts.
- On Wednesday, Modi will visit Mazargues War Cemetery, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Marseille, to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers in World War I.
- Modi and Macron will also visit Cadarache, the site of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a high-science project.
- After landing in Marseille, PM Modi thanked the people of the city for the role they played in Veer Savarkar’s escape from British custody.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the AI Action Summit in Paris, France and discussed “incredible opportunities” AI can bring to India.
Sundar Pichai also discussed how Google and India can work together on the country’s “digital transformation”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India and France are not just connected by democratic values. “Deep trust, innovation, and serving the people are the pillars of our friendship. Our relationship isn’t limited to just our two nations. Together, we’re providing solutions to global problems.
Speaking at the India-France CEOs Forum, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “This is more than just a business event–it’s a convergence of the brightest minds from India and France. You are embracing the mantra of innovation, collaboration, and elevation, driving progress with purpose. Beyond forging boardroom connections, you are actively reinforcing the strategic partnership between India and France.”
At the India France CEO Forum on Tuesday (local time, External affairs minister S Jaishankar stressed the need for a multipolar world to ensure that AI is developed with minimal bias.
“We are meeting on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit. The Digital era calls for trust and transparency. These are indeed shared attributes between us. The summit is a reminder in itself of how much we could be doing in AI, Software development and Cyber security. 2026 has been designated the India – France Year of Innovation. Let us use that as a driver. Equally, we need to shape the global discourse in this key domain. Only a multipolar world can ensure that AI is developed with the least bias,” said Jaishankar.
