From modern nuclear reactors to AI roadmap: Big takeaways from Modi-Macron talks in France

President Macron and Prime Minister Modi welcomed the continuation of the cooperation of air and maritime assets in line with the ambitious defence industrial roadmap agreed in 2024

India and France have agreed to co-develop next-generation nuclear reactors, highlighting New Delhi’s push for advanced technology partnerships amid global trade tensions fueled by the US. The two countries signed a letter of intent on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs), according to the joint statement after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

"Prime Minister Modi and President Macron stressed that nuclear energy is an essential part of the energy mix for strengthening energy security and transitioning towards a low-carbon economy," the statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) read.

As the two leaders met, they also launched an India-France roadmap on artificial intelligence (AI). This is rooted in the philosophical convergence in their approaches focusing on the development of safe, open, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence, as per the statement.

The development took place during the Prime Minister’s three-day visit to France at the invitation of President Macron. Modi co-chaired the AI Action Summit along with President Macron and addressed business leaders.

This was Prime Minister Modi’s sixth visit to France, and follows President Macron’s visit to India in January 2024 as the chief guest for the 75th Republic Day of India.

According to the official statement on Modi’s visit, the two leaders stressed, in particular, the urgent need for the reform of the United Nations Security Council and agreed to coordinate closely in multilateral fora, including on UNSC matters.

France reiterated its firm support for India’s permanent membership of the UNSC. The two leaders agreed to strengthen conversations on regulation of use of the veto in case of mass atrocities.

They held extensive discussions on long-term global challenges and current international developments and agreed to intensify their global and regional engagement, including through multilateral initiatives and institutions.

India-France partnership on security:

President Macron and Prime Minister Modi welcomed the continuation of the cooperation of air and maritime assets in line with the ambitious defence industrial roadmap agreed in 2024. “Both leaders commended progress in collaboration in construction of Scorpene submarines in India, including indigenization, and in particular the work carried out with a view to the integration of DRDO developed Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) into P75-Scorpene submarines and the analyses conducted regarding the possible integration of the Integrated Combat System (ICS) into the future P75-AS submarines,” the statement added.

In order to deepen the research and development partnerships in defence, both leaders stressed on the early launch of an R&D framework through a technical arrangement for cooperation in defence technologies between DGA and DRDO.

They also welcomed the commissioning of the sixth and final submarine of the P75 Scorpene-class project, INS Vaghsheer, on January 15, 2025. Both sides welcomed the ongoing discussions in missiles, helicopter engines and jet engines.

On bilateral trade:

Noting the record level of bilateral trade in 2024, they acknowledged that there is vast untapped potential for trade and investment between the two countries. Both leaders highlighted the need to maintain strong confidence for companies investing in France and in India. They commended the numerous economic cooperation projects announced in 2024 in the field of urban development.

Digital health, anti-microbial resistance as well as exchange of health professionals have been identified as the main priorities for bilateral cooperation in 2025.