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SOURCE: AFI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a significant diplomatic visit to France, attending the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris on February 10-11, 2025. This visit marks a pivotal moment not only for India’s engagement in global technological discourse but also for its strategic defense collaborations.

France, under the leadership of President Emmanuel Macron, is hosting this summit with the aim of fostering an international conversation on AI’s role in shaping the future. The summit will focus on leveraging AI to drive beneficial outcomes in social, economic, and environmental spheres. With PM Modi’s participation, India underscores its commitment to being at the forefront of AI innovation and governance, aligning with global powers like the US, China, and various Gulf states. This summit is expected to explore themes such as public interest in AI, the future of work, innovation, culture, trust, and global AI governance, with a particular emphasis on mitigating issues like misinformation and misuse of AI technologies.

Parallel to the AI discussions, India and France are poised to finalize a significant defense deal involving the Rafale Marine aircraft. This transaction, valued at around $7 billion, includes the purchase of 26 Rafale-M fighters for the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers, complementing India’s strategy to modernize its naval fleet. The deal is expected to be signed either during or just before Modi’s visit, highlighting the deepening defense relationship between the two nations.

The Rafale Marine jets are crucial for India as they will equip the Indian Navy with advanced capabilities for carrier operations, filling a critical gap until India’s indigenous twin-engine deck-based fighter (TEDBF) project matures. The negotiations have been in the final stages, with the expectation that this deal will be one of the highlights of Modi’s visit, reinforcing the strategic partnership between India and France.