PM Modi heads to France next week, defence, nuclear projects on cards

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri Friday underlined that India’s expectation from the summit is that AI applications should be designed, developed, deployed and used in “safe, humane, responsible and trustworthy” manner. “The PM will co-chair the AI Summit alongside President Macron of France. The PM will arrive in Paris in the evening of February 10. He will then attend the dinner that is being hosted by President Macron at Elysee Palace. On 11 February, the Prime Minister will co-chair the AI Summit alongside President Macron of France. AI is bound to have and already having profound impact across all sectors of economy, polity, society and governance and therefore summits such as the AI Summit are both significant and timely,” Misri said.

An Artificial Intelligence Foundation is also expected to be launched during the summit, as the French president has called it “action summit”. This is likely to be a fund, similar to the one on climate change, and will work on AI solutions to global challenges on health and areas.

This will be the PM’s first bilateral visit to France in his third term.

Sources said Friday that announcements are expected to be made on defence and nuclear projects. They said talks are underway on procuring aircraft, submarines and engines, and discussions were being held on small modular nuclear reactors.

Diplomatic sources said French companies have been working with India on “Make in India” and “transfer of technology”. During his visit, Modi and Macron will also address the India-France CEOs forum.

The US will be represented by Vice President J D Vance along with the industry’s big names.