Modi France visit Live: PM to visit war cemetery to honour Indian soldiers in Marseille

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India and France are not just connected by democratic values. “Deep trust, innovation, and serving the people are the pillars of our friendship. Our relationship isn’t limited to just our two nations. Together, we’re providing solutions to global problems,” he added.

Speaking at the India-France CEOs Forum, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “This is more than just a business event–it’s a convergence of the brightest minds from India and France. You are embracing the mantra of innovation, collaboration, and elevation, driving progress with purpose. Beyond forging boardroom connections, you are actively reinforcing the strategic partnership between India and France.”

At the India France CEO Forum on Tuesday (local time, External affairs minister S Jaishankar stressed the need for a multipolar world to ensure that AI is developed with minimal bias.

“We are meeting on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit. The Digital era calls for trust and transparency. These are indeed shared attributes between us. The summit is a reminder in itself of how much we could be doing in AI, Software development and Cyber security. 2026 has been designated the India – France Year of Innovation. Let us use that as a driver. Equally, we need to shape the global discourse in this key domain. Only a multipolar world can ensure that AI is developed with the least bias,” said Jaishankar.

Utkarsh, a member of the Indian diaspora, expressed happiness over having met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Marseille, noting that it was the top leader’s first visit to the South of France.

“PM Modi thanks us for waiting for him at night… his visit to Marseille will play a key role in the India-France relationship,” he told ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted and interacted with the Indian diaspora at a hotel in France city of Marseille.

Upon arriving in the French city of Marseille, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Indian consulate in the city will play a key role in strengthening “people-to-people” ties between India and France.

PM Modi, along with French president Emmanuel Macron, will be inaugurating the Indian Consulate in Marseille, India’s second diplomatic mission in France, after the Embassy in Paris.

PM in France Live: PM Modi received a welcome with a Guard of Honour upon his arrival in Marseille along with French President Emmanuel Macron.

PM in France Live: In a post on X, PM Modi said, “President Macron and I reached Marseille a short while ago. This visit will witness important programmes aimed at further connecting India and France. The Indian consulate which is being inaugurated will deepen people-to-people linkages. I will also pay homage to the Indian soldiers martyred in First and Second World Wars.”

PM in France Live: PM has landed in Marseille and will inaugurate the new Consulate General of India alongside French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday. The leaders will also visit the Mazargues War Cemetery to pay tribute to the Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the World Wars.

Additionally, they are set to tour the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, a global nuclear fusion initiative.

PM in France Live: PM Modi landed in Marseille along with French President Emmanuel Macron after they co-chaired the AI Action Summit earlier in the day. PM Modi also thanked the people of Marseille for the role they played in Veer Savarkar’s escape during colonial rule.

He posted on X, “In India’s quest for freedom, this city holds special significance. It was here that the great Veer Savarkar attempted a courageous escape. I also want to thank the people of Marseille and the French activists of that time who demanded that he not be handed over to British custody. The bravery of Veer Savarkar continues to inspire generations!.”

PM in France Live: After successfully co-chairing the AI Action Summit in Paris, prime minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Marseille.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi addressed the 14th India-France CEO Forum in Paris.

PM in France Live: Google CEO Sundar Pichai met PM Modi in Paris and discussed the opportunities that AI opens up for India after the AI Action Summit.

Pichai posted on X, “Delighted to meet with PM Narendra Modi today while in Paris for the AI Action Summit. We discussed the incredible opportunities AI will bring to India and ways we can work closely together on India’s digital transformation.”

PM in France Live: During the India-France CEOs summit, PM Modi said that the two countries were not only linked by democratic values but was a bond based on deep trust, innovation and the spirit of public welfare.

He added, “Our partnership is not limited to only two countries. We are working together to solve global problems and challenges.”

PM in France Live: PM Modi at the India-France CEO’s Forum highlighted the reason why India was rapidly becoming a favourite investment destination.

He said, “In India, we have launched AI, semiconductor and Quantum Mission. In Defence, we are encouraging Make in India and Make for the World, and most of you are also associated with them. In space tech, we are scaling new heights. This sector has been opened for FDI. We are eager to make India a global bio-tech powerhouse.”

PM in France Live: PM Modi invited companies to invest in India at the the India-France CEOs Forum and said, “1.4 billion people of India have taken the pledge to make #ViksitBharat by 2047, across sectors like defence, advance technologies, fintech, pharma, textiles, agriculture, aviation, healthcare, highways, space, sustainable development – among others.”

PM in France Live: Addressing the India-France CEOs Forum in Paris, PM Modi said, “I tell all of you that this is the time to come to India, this is the right time. The progress of all sectors is linked to the progress of India.”

He also gave an example of India’s progress, adding, “An example of this was seen in the aviation sector. When Indian companies have placed big orders for aircraft. Now when we are going to open 120 new airports, you can yourself imagine the future possibilities.”

PM in France Live: In his speech at the India-France CEO’s Forum, PM Modi said, “We are working with the target of 100 GW nuclear power by 2047. This sector has also been opened up for the private sector. We’re also focusing on SMR (small modular reactors) and AMR (advanced modular reactors) technologies.”

PM in France Live: During his speech at the 14th India-France CEO forum in Paris, prime minister Narendra Modi said that this was the right time for businesses to come to India as the country was working towards its goal of’ Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.

He also said, “This is a confluence of the best business minds of India and France. I welcome the report of the Summit presented just now. I see that all of you are working with the mantra of innovate, collaborate and integrate. You are not just building connections, you are also strengthening the India-France strategic partnership.”

PM in France Live: PM Narendra Modi is speaking at the India-France CEOs forum where he highlighted India’s achievements in AI, space technology and the Make in India programme to improve employment in the country.

PM in France Live: French President Emmanuel Macron greeted PM Modi upon his arrival in Paris to attend the India-France CEOs foru.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US vice president JD Vance on the margins of a dinner for world leaders attending the AI Action Summit in Paris, his first interaction with a member of the Trump administration ahead of a visit to Washington. Read more

PM in France Live:Paris AI Summit’s declaration lacked clarity on questions around global governance and national security, a spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

“We felt that the declaration didn’t provide enough practical clarity on global governance and (didn’t) sufficiently address harder questions around national security and the challenge that AI poses to it,” the spokesperson told reporters.

“Security remains a vital part of AI’s future. And we look forward to continuing discussions in this area.”

PM in France Live: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Paris on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit.

“Happy to have met UN Secretary-General, Mr Antonio Guterres in Paris,” PM Modi said on X.

In his remarks at the summit, Guterres said that the leaders must prevent a world of AI “haves” and “have-nots”.

“A growing concentration of AI capabilities risks deepening geopolitical divides. We must prevent a world of AI “haves” and “have-nots”. AI must bridge the gap between developed and developing countries – not widen it,” he said in a post on X.

PM in France Live: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Alar Karis, President of Estonia, on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit in Paris. This was the first meeting between the two leaders.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the growing bilateral cooperation in various fields. They also discussed the ongoing bilateral cooperation in cyber security.

The prime minister invited the Estonian government and companies to explore the opportunities offered by India and take advantage of programmes such as Digital India.

PM in France Live: External affairs minister S Jaishankar said, “We need to shape the global discourse in this key domain (AI); only a multipolar world can ensure that AI develops with the least bias. We need diversified production, reliable and resilient supply chains, and deeper business collaborations. Please do weigh in on our FTA negotiations.”