ENA Global 2025-02-12 15:51:22 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, Feb 12 (KNN)</strong> 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.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">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.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Jaishankar lauded the independent traditions of both nations and their shared vision for global stability. We are actively working to strengthen each others positions and make our collaboration a significant factor in contemporary global affairs, he remarked.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">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.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">His remarks came on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit, where he highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">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.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">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.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Additionally, he spotlighted Indias clean energy transition, rapid infrastructure development, and advancements in digital public infrastructure (DPI), which present lucrative areas for collaboration.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Earlier, Jaishankar met French Minister Jean-No&euml;l Barrot to discuss strengthening bilateral ties, with a focus on AI, innovation, connectivity, and clean energy.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">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.</span></p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:14px">(KNN Bureau)</span></strong></em></p> <p> </p> 41041 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/global/ai-and-innovation-take-center-stage-in-india-france-collaboration 2025-02-12 15:51:22 knnindia.co.in