Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with French technology and business CEOs in Paris to strengthen economic ties and innovation cooperation.
The meetings signal India's intent to deepen its strategic partnership with France, specifically focusing on artificial intelligence and industrial growth ahead of major global summits.
Modi's visit to Paris took place between June 16 and June 18, 2024 [3]. This stop was part of a broader five-day tour of Europe [1]. The itinerary included a visit to Nice from June 13 to June 14, 2024 [2], followed by a stay in Slovakia from June 14 to June 16, 2024 [3].
During the Paris leg of the trip, the prime minister engaged with leaders from the tech and business sectors. Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral economic ties and promoting technology cooperation [4]. A key point of the agenda was the upcoming VivaTech 2026 summit, where India is slated to serve as the AI partner country [5].
Among the meetings, Modi met with the CEO of Saint-Gobain to discuss the company's role and the broader implications of the VivaTech 2026 event [5]. The prime minister's engagement with these CEOs is intended to facilitate a more robust exchange of innovation, and investment between the two nations.
The focus on technology and innovation is expected to dominate the bilateral agenda as India seeks to integrate more French expertise into its digital infrastructure [4]. By positioning itself as a partner for the AI summit, India aims to showcase its growing capabilities in the global tech landscape.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with French technology and business CEOs in Paris to strengthen economic ties.”
India's strategic focus on the VivaTech 2026 summit and its role as an AI partner country indicates a shift toward high-tech diplomacy. By engaging directly with French industrial and tech leaders, India is attempting to secure technology transfers and investments that align with its domestic digital transformation goals.
