12 hours ago
Last Updated:January 11, 2025, 07:54 IST
India and France are likely to announce two large defence deals worth $10 billion which have been in the pipeline during PM Modi's visit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron may announce two defence deals worth $10 billion.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a state visit to France and will also participate in the ‘Artificial Intelligence Action Summit’
Addressing the French Ambassador Conference, Macron said, “France will be hosting on February 11-12 the AI Summit, Summit for Action. This summit will enable us to have an international discussion on Artificial Intelligence. PM Modi will be there immediately after his state visit to our country, & this enables us to have a dialogue with all the powers on AI, US, China & Major Nations like India which have a role to play, & gulf states".
France had confirmed that an invite had been sent to Prime Minister Modi and he may attend the summit. However, this is the first time President Macron has confirmed the PM’s Participation. The Indian government has yet to make an announcement on the PM’s visit to France.
The last time PM Modi visited France as the guest of honour at France’s Bastille Day parade was in July 2023. Later, President Macron visited India as the chief guest of the Republic Day Parade in January 2024.
The two leaders had last met on the sidelines of the G20 Meet in Brazil.
Indian And France’s Defence Deals In Pipeline
Other than Artificial Intelligence, the two large defence deals in the pipeline between India and France could get announced.
The deals together are worth $10 billion including the purchase of 26 Rafale – M Fighter Jets for the Indian Navy Aircraft Carriers and the three additional scorpeone class Submarines.
At the annual press conference of the Navy Chief in December, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said that both the deals are in the final stage and could be completed next month.
“It is just a matter of completing the formalities of the acquisition process and we expect that if not this month, next month, hopefully this (Scorpeone Submarine) and the Rafale -M Deal be signed," he said.
According to the PIB release, the Defence Acquisition Council chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accorded the acceptance of the necessity for the procurement of 26 Rafale M Fighters and the three additional scorpeone class diesel-electric Submarine.
The Union Ministry of Culture had announced a partnership with the France Museums Development (FMD) to develop the Yuga Yugeen Bharat Museum in Delhi, the progress of which may also be reviewed by the two leaders.
Location :Paris, France
First Published:January 11, 2025, 07:54 IST
News india PM Modi To Visit France For AI Summit, May Announce Defence Deals With Macron
