Currently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to France. During his arrival in Paris, President Emmanuel Macron gave him a grand welcome at the Élysée Palace. In honor of PM Modi, President Macron hosted a dinner. Following this, today PM Modi will participate in the
AI Action Summit
Under the leadership of President Macron, the AI Summit takes place today, with PM Modi invited to co-chair this significant event. But why was Modi chosen for this role?
President Macron emphasized the importance of tech sovereignty and his desire to collaborate with PM Modi. Strengthening tech sovereignty is a central agenda for both leaders on the global stage.
Macron explained that France and India are two powerful nations with a close relationship. While we aim to collaborate with the US and China, our priority is self-reliance without dependency on others. India emerges as a global power, producing over a million engineers annually, more than Europe and the US combined.
He further stated that self-sufficiency is our goal, but that doesn't mean isolation. We seek trustworthy partners without reliance.
AI: A Catalyst, Not a Threat
According to Macron, while India and France are frontrunners, America and China are ahead in AI. Countries like France, the UK, India, the UAE, and Germany follow next. Hence, working together on AI is crucial. PM Modi also faces the challenge of penetrating an AI market dominated by the US and strong Chinese companies. Thus, he aims for India to leverage this advanced technology.
President Macron reiterated that, together with India, they aim to build technological sovereignty, provide training, and establish data centers both in India and France. They will develop language models in their native tongues, distancing themselves from dependence on American or Chinese frameworks. The global south presents a major market in this regard.
Macron to Build a Third Front with India?
President Macron suggests that in the technological race, India and France can create a third front to challenge the dominance of the US and China.
He expressed his view that AI represents the future, prompting him to initiate the Indo-Pacific Strategy in 2018. His aspiration is for future generations to lead better lives.
Notably, this marks PM Modi's seventh visit to France. He last attended France's National Day celebrations in 2023. Previously, this summit took place in South Korea in 2024 and the UK in 2023.
