India and France will keep working closely in sectors like space, energy, AI, says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed their commitment to advance the India-France Strategic Partnership during talks held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday (November 18, 2024).

This was their third meeting this year. The two leaders had met during President Macron’s visit to India as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations in January and later on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy in June.

The two leaders resolved to keep working closely in sectors like space, energy, AI and other futuristic areas. They also decided to work towards enhancing people-to-people linkages.

“It is always a matter of immense joy to meet my friend, President Emmanuel Macron. Complimented him on the successful hosting of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics earlier this year,” Prime Minister Modi said on social media platform X. 

“We talked about how India and France will keep working closely in sectors like space, energy, AI and other such futuristic areas. Our nations will also work closely to enhance people-to-people linkages,” Prime Minister Modi elaborated.

Shared Vision for Bilateral Cooperation 
During the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advance the India-France Strategic Partnership as well as their shared vision for bilateral cooperation and international partnership, outlined in the Horizon 2047 roadmap and other bilateral declarations, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. 

According to the MEA, they commended the progress achieved in bilateral cooperation, including in strategic areas such as defense, space and civil nuclear energy, and committed to accelerating it further with a view to reinforcing their shared commitment to strategic autonomy. 

Prime Minister Modi and President Macron expressed satisfaction at the strengthening of trade, investment, and technology ties, including in the areas of digital technology and Artificial Intelligence, as well as India France partnership on Digital Public Infrastructure. In this context, Prime Minister welcomed the initiative of President Macron to organize the forthcoming AI Action Summit in France.

A review of the progress of cooperation on India’s National Museum project was part of the discussions.

Both leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including the Indo-Pacific. They reaffirmed their commitment to work together to reinvigorate and reform multilateralism and help build a stable international order, the MEA stated. 

A Trusted Partnership for the Future
The year 2023 marked the silver jubilee of the India-France Strategic Partnership, with Prime Minister Modi visiting France in July. In their “Horizon 2047” statement issued during this visit, both countries agreed to work within the framework of a partnership between equals, in consonance with their respective sovereign and strategic interests. They also decided to strengthen cooperation in the sectors of the future.

Meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy on June 14, 2024, Prime Minister Modi and French President Macron reviewed India-France bilateral relations, focusing on the 'Horizon 2047' Roadmap and the Indo-Pacific Roadmap.
 
They discussed cooperation across a wide spectrum, including defence, nuclear, space, and education. They also talked about climate action, digital public infrastructure, connectivity and cultural initiatives. At the same time, the two sides have agreed to step up cooperation in areas like AI, critical and emerging technologies, energy, and sports.

Earlier, meeting in Jaipur on January 25, 2024, the two leaders agreed to adopt the Defence Industrial Roadmap and explore opportunities for partnership in the defence industrial sector and prioritise co-designing.