Prime Minister's recent visit to France

Context

1. The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi paid a three-day visit to France on 10-12 February 2025.

2. This was PM Modi’s sixth visit to France.

3. The PM’s visit follows President of France Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India in January 2024 as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day of India.

4. It was aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two nations in the coming years.

What were the Meetings and Conferences attended by PM Modi?

1. AI Action Summit:

a. It was held in Paris, France and was co-chaired by PM Modi and President Macron.

b. It was attended by Heads of State and Government, leaders of international organizations, small and large enterprises, representatives of academia, non-governmental organizations, artists and members of civil society.

c. It sought to build on the important milestones reached during the Bletchley Park (November 2023) and Seoul (May 2024) summits.

d. Themes:

1.  

e. Points highlighted by PM Modi:

1. 1. 1. Equitable Access: AI must be accessible by all, especially the Global South.
      2. Global framework for AI: This requires collective efforts from across the world.
      3. Open-source systems: They are necessary to enhance trust and transparency, and building data sets “free from biases”
      4. Transformative power of AI: Helps in improving health, education, agriculture etc., which can help in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals faster.
      5. Need to address concerns: related to cyber security, disinformation, and deep fakes.

f. Key outcomes of the Summit:

1.  

g. The French presidency also announced that India would host the next AI summit.

2. 14^th India-France CEOs Forum in Paris:

1. It saw participation by leading businesses from sectors such as aerospace, defence, innovation, energy, infrastructure, agro-processing, and consumer goods.
2. PM Modi encouraged businesses to invest in the Indian economy in sectors such as manufacturing, nuclear energy, insurance etc.

3. Review of Defence cooperation:

a. Scorpene submarines:

1. The leaders commended the progress in collaboration in the construction of Scorpene submarines in India, including indigenisation.
2. The commissioning of the sixth and final submarine of the P-75 Scorpene-class project, INS Vaghsheer, on 15 January 2025 was also welcomed.

1.  

b. Pinaka rocket launcher:

1. PM Modi invited the French Army to explore the Pinaka rocket launcher.
2. Pinaka is a multi-barrel rocket launcher developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

c. FRIND-X:

1. The leaders welcomed the launch of FRIND-X (France-India Defence Startup Excellence) in Paris in December 2024 that can foster partnership in Defence Innovation.

4. Inauguration of Indian Consulate in Marseille:

1. The two leaders jointly inaugurated the new Indian Consulate General in Marseille, marking a significant step in strengthening diplomatic ties between India and France.

5. Visit to Mazargues War Cemetery:

1. PM Modi paid tributes to the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during World Wars I and II at the Mazargues War Cemetery in Marseille.
2. At Marseille, he also recalled freedom fighter Veer Savarkar’s courageous attempt to escape British custody in Marseille in 1910.

6. Visit to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Facility:

1. ITER is an international nuclear fusion research and engineering megaproject aimed at creating energy through a fusion process.
2. It is being built in Cadarache, Southern France with the collaboration of 35 countries, including India and France.

What were the Agreements and MoUs between India and France?

AGREEMENTS/MoUs	PURPOSE
India France Declaration on Artificial Intelligence (AI)	Improving cooperation in Artificial intelligence and harnessing it for common good
Launch of the Logo for the India-France Year of Innovation 2026	Advancing scientific knowledge, research and innovation
Letter of Intent to establish the Indo-French Centre for the Digital Sciences	Enhancing research in Digital Sciences
Agreement for hosting 10 Indian Startups at the French Start-up incubator Station F	Technology & Innovation
Declaration of Intent on establishment of partnership on Advanced Modular Reactors and Small Modular Reactors	Civil Nuclear Energy
Renewal of MoU for Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation	Civil Nuclear Energy
Implementing Agreement concerning cooperation between GCNEP India and Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology (INSTN) France	Civil Nuclear Energy
Joint Declaration of Intent on Triangular Development Cooperation	Indo-Pacific Engagement, sustainable development and regional growth
Joint Inauguration of India’s Consulate in Marseille	People-to-people and Cultural ties
Declaration of Intent between India’s MoEFCC and France’s Ministry of Ecological Transition	Environmental Cooperation

What were the Gifts and Symbolic Gestures exchanged during the visit?

1. Gifts

a. Dokra artwork:

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented the Dokra artwork to French President Emmanuel Macron.
2. The artwork represents musicians, crafted in gold metals and studded with stonework, playing a sarod and a tabla.

1.  

b. Silver engraved table mirror:

1. Presented to French First Lady Brigitte Macron
2. The mirror was crafted by artists from Rajasthan and has a silver frame with detailed motifs of flowers and peacocks.

1.  

c. Gifts for US Vice President JD Vance’s children:

1. The PM met US Vice President JD Vance and his family on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit in Paris.
2. The gifts included a sustainable wooden railway toy set, three jigsaw puzzles - depicting Kalighat Pat, Santhal Painting and Madhubani, and a sustainable alphabet set.

ART FORM	ORIGIN	CHARACTERISTICS
Kalighat Pat	Kolkata, West Bengal	Bold outlines, vibrant colours, minimal background details, and depictions of mythological, religious, and social themes.
Santhal Painting	Practiced by Santhal tribe in Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha	Vivid colours, intricate patterns, and detailed representations of nature, animals, and tribal rituals.
Madhubani	Mithila region of Bihar	Use of natural dyes and pigments, intricate geometric patterns, and themes of mythology, nature, and daily life.

2. Symbolic gestures

1. Visit to Marseille:
   1. The visit of PM Modi to Marseille in the French presidential aircraft was a rare occurrence which symbolized the deep trust and relationship between the leaders and the nations.
2. Breaking away from protocol, the French President Macron came to see off PM Modi at the airport.

Key Takeaways and Outcomes

1. Reaffirmation of India-France Strategic Partnership:

1. Through the visit both the countries reviewed their cooperation in strategic areas like defence, civil nuclear energy and space as highlighted in the Strategic Partnership Agreement.
2. They also discussed ways to strengthen collaboration in fields of technology, innovation.
3. Moreover, they also reviewed the progress on the 2047 Horizon Roadmap for the India-France strategic partnership.

2. Continued cooperation in Defence:

1. For instance, through construction of Scorpene class submarines, military exercises, defence startups etc.

3. Partnership on AI for the Common good:

1. Through steps like AI roadmap and the Declaration on AI, India and France have committed to developing safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems that can promote human development.

4. Advancement of Science knowledge, research and innovation:

1. The commitment of India and France on this aspect is evident through initiatives for incubation of startups, India-France Year of Innovation 2026 etc.

5. Energy Partnership:

1. 1. India and France continue to show willingness to cooperate in energy security as seen through agreements on Small and Modular reactors and other initiatives like International Solar Alliance.

6. Focus on Multilateralism:

1. Reiteration of the need for reformed and effective multilateralism to sustain an equitable and peaceful international order.
2. This is necessary amidst global challenges and to prepare the world for emerging developments, including in the technological and economic domains.

7. Reforms of the United Nations Security Council:

1. France reiterated its firm support for India’s permanent membership of the UNSC.
2. The regulation of veto power in case of mass atrocities was also discussed.

8. Aim to boost Indo-Pacific cooperation:

1. Both countries have expressed desire to support economic growth and development of countries in the Indo-Pacific through triangular development cooperation.

9. Emphasis on People-to-People and cultural ties:

1. This can be seen through the inauguration of India’s Consulate in Marseille.

Conclusion

This visit not only reinforced the multifaceted cooperation between India and France but also set the stage for future collaborations in technology, defence, and sustainable development. The personal rapport between Prime Minister Modi and President Macron, evident throughout the visit, further solidified this strategic partnership, promising a robust and dynamic relationship in the years ahead.

Also Read
Public Administration Optional	UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Monthly Magazine	Question Answer Practice For UPSC
Free MCQs for UPSC Prelims	UPSC Test Series
ENSURE IAS NOTES	Our Booklist