Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a three-day visit to France starting Monday. During this trip, he will co-chair an AI Action Summit alongside French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, engage in bilateral discussions, and address business leaders, according to official sources.
On Wednesday, the two leaders will visit the Mazargues War Cemetery in Marseille, which is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, to honor the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers during World War I.
Following his engagements in France, Prime Minister Modi will continue his travels to the United States as part of his two-nation tour.
In anticipation of the visit, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs released a video showcasing the strong ties between India and France. The spokesperson stated, “PM Modi will be heading to Paris to co-chair the AI Action Summit with President Emmanuel Macron. Here’s a glimpse of the wide-ranging special relationship between India and France.”
This trip marks Modi’s sixth visit to France, as noted in the video presentation.
During a special briefing on February 7, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri outlined the prime minister’s itinerary for his time in France. Upon his arrival in Paris on Monday, Modi will attend a dinner hosted by Macron at the Élysée Palace, which is expected to draw numerous CEOs from the technology sector and other distinguished guests.
On February 11, Prime Minister Modi will co-chair the AI Action Summit with President Macron. He will engage in both restricted and expanded discussions, as well as address the India-France CEO Forum, Misri informed reporters.
The prime minister will also inaugurate the new Consulate General of India in Marseille in collaboration with Macron. Later, they are scheduled to visit Cadarache, the location of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a significant scientific project that involves India along with several other countries.
Last year, India and France celebrated the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership, which encompasses a wide range of issues, including defense and security, civil nuclear cooperation, space exploration, and trade relations. The partnership is evolving to encompass new areas such as innovation, technology, maritime security, counter-terrorism, public health collaboration, renewable energy, and development initiatives, as mentioned by Misri.
