India and France have formalized a roadmap for collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI) while also signing nine additional agreements, including three focused on strengthening civil nuclear ties. This was the outcome of the bilateral discussions between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, who reaffirmed the strong strategic partnership between their nations.
One of the key agreements was on the joint development and production of advanced and small modular reactors (SMRs), seen as a crucial component for powering the energy-demanding AI sector in both countries. The leaders also discussed a range of regional and global issues, including the situation in West Asia, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and ways to deepen their Indo-Pacific partnership through a new agreement for triangular cooperation aimed at promoting sustainable development in the region.
Although no defense agreements were signed, Modi and Macron expressed enthusiasm about cooperation in air and maritime asset development, aligned with the 2024 defense industrial roadmap. As a special gesture, the leaders traveled together on the French presidential aircraft to Marseille, where they held delegation talks, visited a war cemetery, and inaugurated a new Indian consulate. Macron hosted a private dinner for Modi and also personally saw him off at the Marseille airport.
Four of the signed agreements focused on technology and innovation. Although the leaders did not address the media, they highlighted the importance of India-France civil nuclear cooperation, particularly in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. This included collaboration on the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant Project and the development of advanced modular and small modular reactors (AMRs and SMRs). India has been in discussions with the US, Russia, and France for the joint development of this technology, which is expected to feature prominently in Modi’s upcoming engagements with the US.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized that the cooperation in SMRs and AMRs is crucial for AI, citing International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol’s remark that AI requires massive electricity, which can only be sustainably provided by nuclear power. Misri added that SMRs and AMRs could play a critical role in addressing the challenges of conventional energy projects.
The leaders also committed to closely working on the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEEC) initiative, focusing on connectivity, sustainable growth, and clean energy access. They highlighted the strategic importance of Marseille’s location in the Mediterranean Sea for this initiative.
Additionally, both countries underscored their shared commitment to a free, open, inclusive, secure, and peaceful Indo-Pacific region, with France playing a significant role. Misri noted that trilateral cooperation in the region would be driven by the needs of host countries, and that India and France were aligned in offering development cooperation pathways based on demand.
On skill development and vocational education, the leaders celebrated the operationalization of the Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) under the India-France Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA), designed to facilitate youth and professional mobility between the two nations.
France reiterated its strong support for India’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council, with both leaders emphasizing the urgency of UN reform. They also agreed to enhance dialogues on the use of veto power in cases of mass atrocities. Further, they discussed long-term global challenges and pledged to strengthen their global and regional engagement through multilateral platforms.
The two countries also jointly condemned terrorism in all forms, particularly cross-border terrorism, and called for action to disrupt terrorism financing networks and sanctuaries. The leaders emphasized that no nation should harbor those who finance, plan, support, or commit terrorist acts, and reiterated the need for concerted action against terrorists, including designating individuals linked to groups listed by the UN Security Council 1267 Sanctions Committee.
