Strategic Partnership Reaffirmed
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met with Emmanuel Bonne, the diplomatic advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron, in New Delhi. The primary aim
of the meeting was to reinforce the robust and dependable strategic alliance shared by India and France. During their discussions, both leaders acknowledged the multifaceted cooperation that defines their relationship. This was followed by PM Modi's expression of his anticipation of welcoming French President Emmanuel Macron to India soon. This meeting emphasized the close collaboration between the two nations across several important areas. The strategic partnership involves collaborative projects in innovation, technology, and education. This meeting took place just days after President Macron stated his intention to visit India the following month, linking it to the ongoing collaboration on artificial intelligence. The meeting served to solidify existing collaborations and set the stage for new joint ventures.
AI Summit and Beyond
The leaders also discussed the upcoming India–AI Impact Summit 2026, planned for February 19–20 in New Delhi. This event, announced by Prime Minister Modi at the France AI Action Summit, is poised to be the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South. The summit highlights the nations' joint commitment to technological advancement and global leadership in artificial intelligence. Macron's upcoming visit underscores a desire to build on the successes of the AI summit hosted in Paris and expand collaborative efforts. The discussions between Modi and Bonne also included a mutual exchange of perspectives on vital regional and global issues, adding another layer to their strategic discussions. This proactive approach shows the continued strengthening of the relationship, which also includes the India-France Year of Innovation.
Extending Bilateral Ties
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also played a key role in fortifying this relationship, recently meeting with President Macron in Paris during a six-day visit. Discussions between the two centered on current global developments, illustrating the comprehensive scope of the partnership. Jaishankar welcomed Macron's positive views on the India–France strategic partnership, which is a sign of confidence. This meeting aimed to advance the discussions that were started between Prime Minister Modi and the French President’s advisor. Both meetings reflect the intention of building on the already strong collaborative initiatives in AI and other areas. The combined efforts of the leaders show a solid partnership that continues to evolve and deepen.
