PM Modi to visit France and the US from Feb 1

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a crucial visit to France and the United States from Monday, focusing on artificial intelligence, defense, trade, and strategic partnerships.

In Paris, he will co-chair the AI Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron, where discussions will center on ethical AI governance and global regulatory frameworks. Defense cooperation, and economic ties will also be high on the agenda. A special visit to Marseille will see the Prime Minister paying tribute to Indian soldiers in Mazargues War Cemetery, who fought in World War I and inaugurating a new Indian consulate to deepen diplomatic outreach.

From France, the Prime Minister will head to Washington for his first meeting with US President Donald Trump since his second-term inauguration in January this year. Our correspondent reports that the bilateral talks will cover trade, defense collaboration, and immigration issues, with India expected to push for a more structured and humane approach to immigration concerns.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to France and the U.S. reflects India’s growing global leadership in AI, defense, trade, and people-to-people ties. The AI Summit in Paris, a landmark event, will highlight India’s commitment to ethical AI, positions India as a key voice in global AI governance, advocating for an inclusive and human-centric approach. The opening of a new consulate in Marseilles will boost India’s diplomatic presence, making it easier to support Indian businesses and the diaspora in southern France.

In Washington, the focus will be on setting a clear direction for India-U.S. relations in Trump’s second term. While strategic ties remain strong, trade differences, market access concerns, and immigration policies require careful negotiation.

The visit marks a crucial moment for India’s global engagement-strengthening ties with two of its most important partners while reinforcing its independent foreign policy. With AI, defense, and economic cooperation at the forefront, this diplomatic outreach is expected to yield long-term benefits, boosting India’s standing as a global leader in emerging technologies and strategic affairs.