Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron visit the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) in Saint-Paul-les-Durance in southern France on February 12, 2025. Photo: DPR PMO via ANI
India and France on Wednesday (February 12, 2025) announced that they would continue to work closely to implement the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) project.
The project proposes to connect India to Europe through sea and land routes.
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A discussion on the project was held during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to France, where he spoke at the Paris AI Action summit and held talks with President Emmanuel Macron.
“The two leaders recalled the launch of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) on the margins of the G20 Summit in Delhi in September 2023 and agreed to work together more closely on implementing the initiative,” said a joint statement issued after the visit.
IMEC, which involves the participation of Israel, had failed to make headway because of the Gaza conflict.
The French and the Indian leadership highlighted the importance of the project for the prosperity of India and Europe.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed the media that after the Paris AI summit, Mr. Modi reached Marseille on Tuesday (February 11, 2025) in the French presidential aircraft. During an interaction, Mr. Macron said, “Marseilles will be the entry point for the whole European market, and IMEC will channel a lot of energy to Marseille.”
To develop reactors jointly
The two sides also agreed to develop nuclear reactors jointly. The joint statement said that officials from both sides signed a letter of intent on production of small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced modular reactors (AMRs). Mr. Modi and Mr. Macron described nuclear energy as an “essential part of the energy mix”. The SMRs are factory-fabricated nuclear reactors that are smaller in size and capacity than the conventional nuclear reactors.
Mr. Modi and Mr. Macron jointly inaugurated the new Indian Consulate General in Marseille on Wednesday (February 12, 2025). Marseille will host the Mediterranean edition of the flagship discussion event of the Ministry of External Affairs – Raisina Dialogue – this year where stakeholders from multiple sectors are expected to participate.
After the inauguration of the Consulate General in Marseille, Mr. Modi recounted India’s ties with Marseille as Indian soldiers were based there during the World War I. “President Emmanuel Macron and I inaugurated the Indian Consulate in this vibrant city, marking a new chapter in India-France ties. This consulate will serve as an important bridge, strengthening our cultural, economic, and people-to-people connections,” said Mr. Modi in a message after the inauguration.
The joint statement recognised the “strategic location” of Marseille in the Mediterranean Sea, and the role that the port city will play in supporting “connectivity, sustainable growth trajectories and access to clean energy”.
AI summit in India
The Foreign Secretary said the bilateral discussions between the two sides were held during the Paris-Marseille flight, and covered areas such as space, civil nuclear cooperation, health and people-to-people relations. He announced that the AI Action Summit in Paris accepted India’s proposal and accordingly, the next big global summit on AI would be held in India.
India and France welcomed “concrete projects” and greater trilateral engagements with the United Arab Emirates and Australia covering areas such as “innovation, health, renewable energy, education, culture and the maritime domain”, according to the official statement.
During the Paris AI summit, Mr. Modi co-chaired a session with Mr. Macron, following which the two leaders jointly addressed the India-France CEOs Forum. Mr. Misri said both leaders exchanged views on the recent geopolitical developments in Europe, West Asia and the Indo-Pacific. During his Paris visit, Mr. Modi also met Estonian President Alar Karis and U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance.
Mr. Modi and Mr. Macron visited the Mazargues War Cemetery, which holds the remains of Indian soldiers who died in the 20th century World Wars in Europe. The two leaders also visited the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor Facility) in Cadarache.
Published – February 12, 2025 11:12 pm IST
