NEW DELHI: In a special gesture, French President Emmanuel Macron personally escorted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Marseille airport as he departed for Washington, marking the conclusion of his three-day visit to France. The two leaders exchanged a warm hug before Modi boarded his flight.
During his visit, Modi engaged in a series of high-profile meetings and events, strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence, commerce, energy, and cultural exchanges. In a post on X, he expressed gratitude to Macron and the people of France, calling the visit “historic and productive.”
One of the key highlights of the trip was Modi’s participation in the AI Action Summit, which he co-chaired with Macron. The summit, attended by global leaders and technology executives, focused on developing an international framework for artificial intelligence that promotes transparency, trust, and human development. A joint declaration by India and France reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring AI development respects human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Modi and Macron also reviewed the 2047 Horizon Roadmap, a strategic partnership initiative between the two nations. Their discussions spanned various sectors, including defence, space, civil nuclear cooperation, and public health. Notably, France agreed to host Indian startups at its prestigious Station F incubator, fostering deeper technological and entrepreneurial collaboration.
The visit included a stop in Marseille, where Modi and Macron inaugurated the first Indian Consulate in France and toured the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project, a major scientific initiative in which India is a partner. Modi also paid tribute to Indian soldiers who fought in World War I and II at the Mazargues War Cemetery.
On the civil nuclear front, the two sides welcomed the first meeting of the Special Task Force on Civil Nuclear Energy. Agreements were signed on small modular and advanced modular reactors, alongside initiatives for training nuclear professionals. Cooperation in nuclear energy was highlighted as a promising area of future collaboration, particularly in meeting AI-driven energy demands.
