AI and Innovation Take Center Stage in India-France Collaboration

New Delhi, Feb 12 (KNN) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar emphasised the pivotal role India and France can play in shaping the evolving global economy, urging deeper business collaboration and resilient supply chains to navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Speaking at the India-France CEO Forum in Paris, Jaishankar underscored the importance of diversified production and reliable supply networks. “This applies as much to manufacturing as it does to health,” he stated, highlighting the necessity of robust economic partnerships.

Jaishankar lauded the independent traditions of both nations and their shared vision for global stability. “We are actively working to strengthen each other’s positions and make our collaboration a significant factor in contemporary global affairs,” he remarked.

The minister noted that stronger India-France cooperation would contribute to economic stability, particularly in volatile times. He pointed to the ‘Make in India’ initiative as a catalyst for new opportunities in manufacturing and technology.

His remarks came on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit, where he highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence.

“The Summit itself is a reminder of how much we could achieve in AI, software development, and cybersecurity,” he said, adding that 2026 will be celebrated as the ‘India-France Year of Innovation.’

Jaishankar also called for stakeholder engagement in ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, stressing the importance of leveraging established cooperation in defense, manufacturing, and aerospace. “Both the nature and scale of this collaboration are poised for a significant leap. The challenge before us is to fully capitalise on it,” he asserted.

Additionally, he spotlighted India’s clean energy transition, rapid infrastructure development, and advancements in digital public infrastructure (DPI), which present lucrative areas for collaboration.

Earlier, Jaishankar met French Minister Jean-Noël Barrot to discuss strengthening bilateral ties, with a focus on AI, innovation, connectivity, and clean energy.

The AI Action Summit also saw global leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, address the future of AI, emphasizing innovation and ethical development, in the presence of top technology CEOs and industry experts.

(KNN Bureau)