Marseille: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Marseille in the early hours of Wednesday, accompanied by French President Emmanuel Macron, marking the final leg of his three-day visit to France. The day was packed with high-level engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.
Upon arrival, PM Modi paid tribute to freedom fighter Veer Savarkar, emphasizing the city's historical significance in India’s freedom struggle. His visit to France, which began on February 10, included key meetings, such as the AI Action Summit, attended by global leaders.
Strengthening India-France Ties
As part of his final engagements, PM Modi inaugurated India’s second consulate in France in the port city of Marseille, a strategic step to enhance diplomatic outreach. He also paid homage to soldiers who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars at the Mazargues War Cemetery, reaffirming India’s respect for global peace efforts.
A major highlight of the visit was his and President Macron’s tour of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, a landmark global initiative in nuclear fusion research, showcasing India’s commitment to advanced scientific collaboration.
Key Discussions on AI and Economic Cooperation
In Paris, PM Modi addressed the AI Action Summit and the 14th India-France CEOs Forum, where he outlined the transformative role of artificial intelligence in governance, security, and economic growth. Addressing concerns over AI-driven job displacement, he emphasized that history has shown technology does not eliminate jobs but reshapes them, creating new opportunities.
The visit also featured significant diplomatic interactions. PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with US Vice President JD Vance, who was accompanied by his Indian-origin wife Usha and their two sons. Additionally, he met Google CEO Sundar Pichai, discussing the vast potential of AI in accelerating India’s digital transformation.
“Delighted to meet with PM Narendra Modi today while in Paris for the AI Action Summit. We discussed the incredible opportunities AI will bring to India and ways we can work closely together on India’s digital transformation,” Pichai shared in a post on X.
A Strategic and Forward-Looking Visit
PM Modi’s visit to France reinforced India’s strategic partnership with the European nation, covering technology, trade, defense, and energy collaboration. As he concludes this diplomatic tour, the engagements in Marseille and Paris underscore India’s expanding global influence and its commitment to leveraging innovation for sustainable growth.
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