India and France Strengthen AI Partnership at Paris Summit
French President Emmanuel Macron, who once stated in his 2017 memoir Revolution that "France cannot continue to be France if it leaves its role in the world by the wayside," reaffirmed this vision by chairing the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris on February 11. In a significant move, Macron invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to co-chair the summit, recognizing India's growing influence in AI and emerging technologies.
India’s inclusion at the summit highlights New Delhi’s expanding role in shaping global AI policies. While China remains a dominant force in AI, France’s decision to collaborate with India underscores a preference for shared democratic values and strategic convergences.
The India-France Strategic Partnership, established in 1998 when President Jacques Chirac proposed a "partnership for the 21st century," has grown stronger over the decades. The two nations have cooperated on major global issues, launching the International Solar Alliance in 2015 at the Paris climate conference and co-chairing the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
Now, their collaboration extends to AI governance and digital development. The AI Summit in Paris is expected to shape future regulations for this transformative technology, with India playing a crucial role in defining ethical and policy frameworks alongside France.
India to Play Key Role at Paris AI Summit, Focus on Global AI Governance
The upcoming Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris, chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron, will serve as a critical platform for India to shape global AI policies. The summit, expected to be attended by United States Vice President J.D. Vance, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, will focus on making AI development inclusive, responsible, and equitable while addressing challenges related to ethics, governance, and accessibility.
India is set to highlight the democratisation of AI and its potential benefits for the Global South, reinforcing its commitment to advancing AI in a way that ensures widespread technological inclusivity.
Objectives of the Paris AI Summit
The summit builds upon two key global AI meetings: the AI Safety Summit held in Bletchley Park, United Kingdom, in November 2023, and the Seoul AI Summit in South Korea in May 2024.
- The Bletchley Park Declaration, signed by 28 countries, emphasized that AI should be safe, human-centric, trustworthy, and responsible.
- The Seoul Declaration, co-hosted by the UK and attended by 27 nations, reaffirmed commitments to international
- AI cooperation and proposed the creation of a network of AI Safety Institutes.
The Paris Summit will focus on five key themes:
- Public Interest AI
- Future of Work
- Innovation and Culture
- Trust in AI
- Global AI Governance
It will build upon existing international initiatives by organizations such as the United Nations (UN), Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), G7, and G20.
India’s Role in AI Policy Development
India has played a proactive role in AI governance and will continue its engagement by:
- Co-chairing the AI Governance Working Group
- Participating in high-level discussions shaping AI regulations
- Serving on the AI Summit Steering Committee
- Contributing to the Leaders’ Statement negotiations
- Attending the GPAI Ministerial Meeting on the summit’s sidelines
With the Paris AI Summit aiming to launch concrete initiatives for AI-driven global development, India's participation reinforces its strategic vision for responsible AI advancement, particularly for the Global South.
References:
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- Artificial Intelligence Action Summit. (n.d.). elysee.fr. https://www.elysee.fr/en/sommet-pour-l-action-sur-l-ia
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- First meeting of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes. (n.d.). Shaping Europe’s Digital Future. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/first-meeting-international-network-ai-safety-institutes
- HT News Desk. (2025, February 12). 'Strategic partnership, global affairs, terrorism’: What PM Modi, Macron discussed in France. Hindustan Times. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/strategic-partnership-global-affairs-terrorism-what-pm-modi-macron-discussed-in-france-101739357768262.html
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