Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday received a warm welcome from French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris ahead of the AI Summit.
Macron greeted Modi with a hug during a dinner meeting before the summit, highlighting the strong ties between India and France.
PM Modi shared his sentiments on X, stating, “Delighted to meet my friend, President Macron in Paris.” During the dinner, he also met US Vice President JD Vance, who is also attending the summit.
Earlier, Modi arrived in Paris for a two-day visit and was received at the airport by French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu.
Members of the Indian diaspora gathered at the airport, chanting “Modi, Modi” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” accompanied by drumbeats. Expressing gratitude, Modi described the reception as a “memorable welcome” and praised the Indian community for their achievements and support.
The AI Summit in Paris aims to establish a global governance framework for Artificial Intelligence, ensuring inclusivity, safety, and transparency. The event will also focus on joint research and development initiatives. Scheduled for Tuesday, the summit has attracted high-profile leaders, including US Vice President JD Vance and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing.
The summit comes amid the recent unveiling of DeepSeek, a Chinese startup’s AI product that rivals OpenAI’s ChatGPT. A diplomatic source told a section of the media that India’s role as co-chair signals its significance in shaping global AI governance and democratisation efforts.
Modi is also set to address the India-France CEO’s Forum alongside Macron.
He is expected to visit the Mazargues War Cemetery in Marseille to pay homage to Indian soldiers who fought in the First World War. Modi and Macron will hold bilateral talks in Marseille before addressing the India-France CEO’s Forum. The visit will conclude with the inauguration of India’s new consulate in Marseille by both leaders.
