BY Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a warm hug as he arrived in Paris for a dinner at the Elysee Palace on the sidelines of the Artificial Intelligence summit.
Macron received Modi upon his arrival, and the two leaders shared a candid moment before heading into discussions.
Both leaders meeting highlighted the strong ties between India and France, with key issues expected to be on the agenda.
They expressed his enthusiasm for the visit, PM Modi posted on X, “Delighted to meet my friend, President Macron in Paris.”
Modi’s visit to France will include extensive discussions with Macron on strategic cooperation, technological innovation, and artificial intelligence in addition to strengthening bilateral relations.
Mr. Modi co-chaired the AI Action Summit alongside the French President, engaged with global leaders and tech industry executives to explore AI-driven advancements for the public good.
The visit holds historical significance, as the two leaders will jointly inaugurate India’s first consulate in Marseille, marked a milestone in diplomatic outreach.
The importance of Modi’s visit is underscored by France’s warm reception, with Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu received him at the airport.
India Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the update on X, stated “PM Narendra Modi arrived in Paris to a special welcome. Warmly received by Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu of France at the airport.”
The visit aligned with ongoing efforts to deepen the India-France strategic partnership, including reviewing progress on the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, an initiative focused on long-term cooperation in key sectors.
Modi traveled to Marseille with Macron, where they visited the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project, a significant international collaboration in nuclear fusion research.
In a tribute to historical ties, Mr. Modi visited the Mazargues War Cemetery to honor Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the World Wars.
Macron’s dinner was attended by the US Vice President JD Vance among the attendees.
Modi will embark on the second leg of his tour will be traveling to the United States at the invitation of President Donald Trump.
The visit is expected to reinforce India’s global partnerships, focused on key areas of collaboration in technology, defence, and economic growth, sources added.
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