PARIS (FRANCE) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Paris for the AI Action Summit 2025 was more than just a diplomatic engagement—it was a powerful statement on India’s leadership in AI, economic diplomacy, and global cooperation. The summit, co-chaired with French President Emmanuel Macron, brought together world leaders, business tycoons, and AI innovators to discuss the ethical, economic, and strategic implications of Artificial Intelligence.
Beyond AI, PM Modi’s visit also saw two crucial diplomatic engagements—strengthening India-France business ties and expanding India-Estonia cooperation in digital governance and trade. His discussions highlighted India’s growing influence in global policymaking, its push for inclusive and responsible AI, and its ambition to become a hub for innovation and economic growth.
AI: A Double-Edged Sword That Needs Responsible Governance
PM Modi’s keynote address at the AI Action Summit focused on a central theme: AI is both an opportunity and a challenge. He described AI as a double-edged sword—a technology that can revolutionize industries, governance, and daily life, but also one that poses serious risks if left unchecked.
Illustrating AI’s inherent biases, PM Modi shared an example of how an AI-powered medical tool can simplify complex health reports, yet struggles with basic representation, such as failing to correctly depict left-handed individuals.
This example, though simple, carried a profound message—AI systems are only as good as the data they are trained on. If AI is developed without diverse and inclusive datasets, it risks reinforcing societal biases rather than eliminating them.
This underscores the urgent need for ethical AI development, global regulations, and diverse participation in AI research and policymaking, particularly from the Global South, which has historically been underrepresented in technological advancements.
AI Governance: Who Should Control the Future?
One of the most pressing questions in AI today is who controls its development and deployment? PM Modi argued that the world needs a global AI governance framework, emphasizing that AI is no longer just a technological issue but one that affects economies, security, societies, and even geopolitics.
He called for a balanced approach, where AI is neither over-regulated to the point of stifling innovation nor left unchecked to create digital monopolies or ethical blind spots. This was a direct call to developing nations, policymakers, and industry leaders to collaborate on a shared AI governance model that prioritizes:
•Transparency and accountability in AI decision-making
•Protection against AI-driven misinformation and deepfakes
•Cybersecurity safeguards for AI-powered systems
•Inclusion of developing nations in AI’s growth story
Economic Diplomacy: Strengthening Indo-French Business Ties
While AI dominated discussions, PM Modi’s visit to Paris also had a strong economic dimension. At the India-France CEO Forum, he engaged with top business leaders, reinforcing India’s emergence as a global investment hub.
India’s Growth Story: A Strategic Opportunity for Global Investors
PM Modi highlighted India’s remarkable economic progress:
•The world’s fastest-growing major economy
•The fifth-largest economy, soon to be the third-largest
•A stable political and policy environment
•Massive infrastructure investments, including the opening of 120 new airports
These factors make India a prime destination for global investors, particularly in defence, aerospace, semiconductors, AI, biotech, and renewable energy. He invited French companies to take advantage of India’s growing consumer base, skilled workforce, and digital transformation.
De-Risking Global Supply Chains: India as a Strategic Partner
With global supply chains under stress due to geopolitical tensions and economic disruptions, India is positioning itself as a reliable partner for global manufacturing and trade. PM Modi assured French investors that India is not just an emerging market, but a key player in global supply chain diversification.
India-Estonia Relations: A Model for Digital Governance
On the sidelines of the AI Summit, PM Modi also met Estonian President Alar Karis, reflecting India’s deepening engagement with smaller but technologically advanced nations.
Why Estonia Matters to India’s Digital Aspirations
Estonia, known as a global leader in digital governance and cybersecurity, has been a valuable partner in India’s AI-driven governance models. The two leaders discussed:
•Expanding digital cooperation in AI, cybersecurity, and e-governance
•Boosting trade and investment, particularly in the Baltic region
•Strengthening cultural ties, with Estonia showing increasing interest in Indian heritage, yoga, and Ayurveda
Since formalizing diplomatic relations in 1991, India and Estonia have worked closely in digital public infrastructure, making Estonia a key technology partner for India’s expanding AI ecosystem.
AI and Sustainable Development: The Need for Green AI
Beyond ethics and economics, PM Modi emphasized that AI’s long-term sustainability depends on its energy efficiency. With AI models consuming enormous computing power, he called for:
•Developing energy-efficient AI models
•Investing in Green AI research
•Using AI to accelerate renewable energy adoption
Citing India’s leadership in solar energy and green hydrogen, he urged global stakeholders to ensure that AI development aligns with climate goals and energy sustainability.
A Vision for the Future: When Technology and Humanity Align
Concluding his engagements, PM Modi articulated a grand vision for global collaboration:
•“When France’s finesse and India’s scale meet, industries will transform.”
•“When India’s pace and France’s precision join, innovation will accelerate.”
•“When France’s technology and India’s talent unite, global transformation will happen.”
This wasn’t just rhetoric—it was a strategic call for deeper Indo-French cooperation in the AI-driven future. His message was clear: India doesn’t just want to be a consumer of technology—it wants to be a leader, an innovator, and a responsible stakeholder in shaping the digital world.
The Road Ahead: What Comes Next?
PM Modi’s visit to Paris marked a pivotal moment in India’s technological and economic diplomacy. With AI at the center of global discussions, India is:
•Positioning itself as a leader in ethical AI governance
•Attracting strategic investments in emerging sectors
•Strengthening partnerships with advanced economies like France and Estonia
•Advocating for an inclusive, fair, and sustainable AI-driven world
The key question now is: How will global powers respond to India’s vision? Will they join hands to build a responsible AI ecosystem, or will AI governance remain fragmented?
One thing is certain—India has arrived on the global stage not just as an economic force but as a thought leader in shaping the digital future.
– Dr. Shahid Siddiqui; X @shahidsiddiqui
