Omkar Dattatray
Prime minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to France and US to further strengthen and develop bilateral relations and friendship .In this connection Modi first visited France and then after wrapping his Paris tour he embarked on a two day visit to US.PM Modi’s sixth visit to France was high on optics as it included wide-ranging engagements during his jam-packed two day trip .At the invitation of the president of the French Republic, H.E,Mr.Emmanuel Macron, the prime minister of India Shri Narendra Modi paid a visit to France on 10-12 February 2025. On 10 and 12 Feb 2025 ,France and India co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit ,gathering the Heads of state and government ,leaders of international organizations ,small and large enterprises ,representatives of academia ,NGO’s ,artists, and members of civil society ,in order to build on the important milestones reached during the previous meeting of 2023.Following the AI summit which Macron co-chaired with Modi ,the bilateral part of the visit began with the two leaders jointly addressing the India-France CEO’s forum. The forum brought togetherleadingbusinessesfromsectorssuch as aerospace,defense,innovation,energy,infrastructure,agro-processing ,and consumer goods. Modi at the meeting encourage French companies to explore new opportunities particularly in defense, civil nuclear, insurance, and advanced manufacturing sectors. After the meet, the two leaders travelled together to Marseille in the French presidential aircraft ,a rare occurrence. ”It is emblematic not only of the deep personal trust between the two leaders but also of the remarkable confidence that they have in each other ,and characterize the relationship as well,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri .The prime minister and the president held discussions on board the aircraft. In fact India-France relations touched new heights. The discussions on various issues continued aboard the aircraft and continued upon landing in Marseille, where the two leaders were joined by their larger delegations. These talks extended into a dinner hosted by president Macron in honor of prime minister Modi. The two leaders exchanged views on recent geopolitical developments in Europe ,West Asia and the Indo-Pacific ,and discussed issues of global and regional importance. Modi and Macron on Tuesday co-chaired the Al Action Summit in Paris.PM Modi began his itinerary with a visit to Mazargues War Cemetery on Wednesday where Modi and Macron honored the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the 1 and 11 world wars. Modi said that Marseille has special significance for India, as this is the city where Veer Savarkar attempted a courageous escape and the people of Marseille and French activists of those days demanded that he not to be handed to British custody. The two leaders also inaugurated the new Indian Consulate General in Marseille. The two leaders visited the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reader Facility ,ITER ,in Cadarache ,together .The experimental campaign at ITER was vital for advancing fusion science and paving the way for the fusion power plants of the future. India-France focused on nuclear cooperation through joint development of small Modular Reactors -SMR’s and Advanced Modular Reactors-AMR’s and advancing safe ,open and secure Artificial Intelligence collaboration. Modi and Macron also agreed to enhance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific ,with a joint declaration of intent for triangular development ,aimed at providing solutions to support economic growth and development of the countries in the region. Misri said the demand for SMR’s and AMR’s has been identified as crucial ,particularly as AI ,as underlined by the International Energy Agency Director General Fatih Birol will require vast amounts of electricity.As far as the trilateral cooperation is concerned, India and France will look at delivering projects in a whole host of areas in third world countries. The bilateral roadmap on AI envisions that the norms reflect democratic values and promote human development. A commitment to safe ,secure ,and trustworthy AI systems ,advancing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda ,fostering international cooperation on AI capacity -building ,respecting international law and human rights are at the core of India-France Declaration on AI. An extensive joint statement issued after the meet mthat the leaders mentioned that the leaders commended the progress in a collaboration in the construction of Scorpene submarines in India ,including indigenization. On the bilateral front ,the PM met with the president of Estania, President Alar Karis, and also with the vice-president of the united states ,His Excellency JD Vance. Joint declaration was also done and joint statement was issued which encapsulated all important things agreed upon.PM Modi wrapped up his France visit on 12 Feb,2025 and President Macron attended a departure ceremony at Marseille Provence airport in Magrigane and left for his second leg of visit to USA.PM Modi and president Donald Trump discussed key bilateral issues including trades, tariffs ,extradition of 26/11 accused and Russia-Ukraine war ,purchase of F-35 fighters and India’s border dispute with China. Setting the tone of the ‘MEGA partnership ‘,PM Modi highlighted India and US’s shared commitment to economic growth and global leadership. President Trump often talks about MAGA in India ,we are working towards a Viksit Bharat ,which in American context translates into MEGA .And together ,the India-USA have a MEGA partnership for prosperity ,Modi said. India and the US set a bilateral trade target of dollar 500 billion by 2030 in an effort to ensure joint development ,joint production and transfer of technology. The terms of the agreement would be decided soon ,said Modi .”The people of America are well aware of president Trump’s motto MAGA -Make America Great Again’. The people of India too are focusing on heritage and development as they move forward at a fast pace and with a firm resolve towards the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047,Modi said. Making a significant boost to defense cooperation ,Trump said that the US would sell F-35 stealth fighter jets to India ,placing the country among an elite group operating the advanced aircraft. ”Starting this year ,we will be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We are also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F-35 stealth fighters, ”Trump said.PM Modi meets US president Trump at White House.In a significant boost to the energy sector ,India is set to buy US energy of almost dollar 25 billion in the near future. The talks between the two leaders focused also on increasing energy purchases,which would pay a key role in balancing the trade deficit between India and US.US offers to mediate on India-China boarder dispute. The US president has offered to mediate in the India -China border dispute and has called for a de-esclation.PM Modi talked about the issue of illegal immigration and expressed India’s readiness to take back those citizens living unlawfully in the US. Extradition of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana to India ,making another key take away from the visit.PM Modi’s visit to US did not have a significant impact on Donald Trump’s recent move to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from India. Rather Trump said that the states would prefer a ”reciprocal approach ” on tarffis.PM Modi reiterated India’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war and said that the country was in favor of establishing peace.PM Modi and US president Trump shared a warm moment with hugs and handshakes at the White House. Earlier Modi met US NSA Michael Waltz and discussed defense ,technology and security. Trump gave freedom to Modi to act as he likes with Bangladesh. This is a big achievement for Modi and India. Finally Modi wrapped his second leg of visit to US and came back home .In short the tour of Modi to France and America remained most fruitful and paved way for friendly relations and bilateral ties between these countries and India.
(The author is a columnist, social, KP activist & Freelancer)