New Delhi/Paris: India and France are preparing to finalize a €7 billion deal for 26 Rafale Marine aircraft, with French President Emmanuel Macron announcing that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit France in early February. Modi’s visit will coincide with the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit, scheduled for February 10-11 in Paris.
Speaking at the French Ambassadors’ Conference in Paris on Monday, Macron emphasized the importance of the summit, describing it as a platform for international dialogue on artificial intelligence. “The Artificial Intelligence summit, a summit for action… will enable us to have an international discussion on artificial intelligence. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi will be there immediately after a state visit to our country. This will enable us to have a dialogue with all the powers in AI,” Macron stated.
The Paris summit builds on the achievements of prior AI summits held at Bletchley Park in November 2023 and Seoul in May 2024. It will focus on critical themes such as the future of work, innovation and culture, and global AI governance.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
This visit marks another milestone in the deepening relationship between India and France. PM Modi last visited France in July 2023 as the chief guest at the Bastille Day celebrations. Earlier, in January 2024, Macron attended India’s Republic Day celebrations, where he engaged in a roadshow with Modi in Jaipur before holding official talks in New Delhi.
The Rafale Marine aircraft deal, which is expected to be signed during or just ahead of Modi’s February visit, signals continued defense collaboration between the two nations. According to reports, the negotiations had faced delays due to political instability in France, including frequent changes in leadership at Hôtel Matignon.
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Since June 2024, France has witnessed significant political turbulence, with four prime ministers serving within a year. François Bayrou, the current Prime Minister, appointed in December 2024, is managing a fractured National Assembly following snap elections called by Macron last year.
Despite these challenges, the bilateral relationship has flourished under Macron’s leadership. This month, a French carrier strike group made stopovers in Goa and Kochi as part of the annual Varuna naval exercise. The two leaders also met at the G20 summit in Brazil in November 2024, marking their third bilateral meeting in the past year.
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Macron’s earlier visits to India—first for the G20 summit in September 2023 and then for Republic Day celebrations in January 2024—underscore the robust strategic partnership between the two countries.
