Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Elon Musk during his visit to the United States and Starlink’s entry in the South Asian Market could be discussed during the meeting, Reuters reported, citing two people familiar with the plans.

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Mr. Musk is likely to hold a meeting with PM Modi and the Indian government expects these could include Starlink’s plans to start satellite broadband services in India, according to the report citing two sources, who did not want to be named as the plans are private.

Starlink wants to start operations in India. The Indian government has backed Mr. Musk’s idea that spectrum should be assigned rather than auctioned. However, Starlink’s licence application is still being reviewed.

“Musk is agreeable to give assurances on India security concerns, which includes storing data locally,” one of the sources told Reuters.

Earlier in December, Mr. Musk announced Starlink satellite internet was inactive in India after authorities seized two of the company’s devices, one in an armed conflict zone and another in a drug smuggling bust, according to Reuters report. It was not clear whether Tesla’s entry into India would come up for discussion between PM Modi and Musk, Reuters reported, citing sources. However, increased sourcing of electric vehicle components from India is likely to be discussed during the meeting.

PM Modi is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump during his two-day visit to the US. PM Modi is travelling to the US after concluding his three-day visit to France. This will be the first visit of Prime Minister Modi to the United States since the inauguration of the second presidential term of President Donald Trump.

On the third and final day of his France visit on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi visited the historic Mazargues Cemetery in Marseille with French President Emmanuel Macron and paid tribute to Indian soldiers who fought in World War I and World War II, many of whom are cremated there. 

Noting that freedom fighter Veer Savarkar attempted a “courageous escape” in Marseille, PM Modi wrote on X,  “In India’s quest for freedom, this city holds special significance. It was here that the great Veer Savarkar attempted a courageous escape. I also want to thank the people of Marseille and the French activists of that time who demanded that he not be handed over to British custody. The bravery of Veer Savarkar continues to inspire generations!”.

Savarkar had attempted his escape on July 8, 1910, from HMS Morea, by slipping through a porthole and swimming ashore. He was captured by French authorities and handed back to officials on the ship. 

PM Modi also inaugurated the Indian Consulate in Marseille and said that it will deepen ties between the two countries. “President Macron and I reached Marseille a short while ago. This visit will witness important programmes aimed at further connecting India and France. The Indian consulate which is being inaugurated will deepen people-to-people linkages. I will also pay homage to the Indian soldiers martyred in the First and Second World Wars,” the PM wrote earlier in the day.

Prime Minister Modi received a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora at a hotel in Marseille. “We have been staying here for the past 4 years…I met PM Modi now…he was very happy to meet us and we also felt really happy,” Priyanka Sharma, a member of the diaspora, told news agency ANI.

Apart from visiting a logistics centre, PM Modi and Mr Macron will also take a tour of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project in Cadarache in southern France. India has committed Rs 17,500 crore, which is about 10% of the project’s cost. India has also contributed the biggest component in the project – the world’s largest refrigerator that houses this unique reactor.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrive after the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris at Marseille Provence airport in Marignane, southern France, Feb. 11, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, upon arriving in Marseille, paid tribute to the city’s historical “significance” in India’s freedom struggle, recalling the “courageous escape” attempt of “Veer” Savarkar and thanking the French activists who supported him during his time of peril.

In a post on X, he wrote, “Landed in Marseille. In India’s quest for freedom, this city holds special significance. It was here that the great Veer Savarkar attempted a courageous escape. I also want to thank the people of Marseille and the French activists of that time who demanded that he not be handed over to British custody. The bravery of Veer Savarkar continues to inspire generations!”

The city of Marseille holds a special place in India’s freedom struggle, as it was here that Veer Savarkar, one of India’s freedom fighters, made a brave attempt to escape British custody. According to the government website, amrit mahotsav.nic.in, “Veer Savarkar was arrested in London in 1910 in connection with the Nasik Conspiracy Case. When he was being taken by ship to India for trial, off Marseilles, Savarkar jumped into the sea and swam to the French coast, braving the firing from the ship.

He was arrested at Marseilles by the British Police. The French government protested against this arrest on French soil to the Hague International Court. This brought Veer Savarkar and other Indian freedom fighters to prominence throughout the world.”

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Marseille ahead of their engagements in the city.

In Marseille, they will visit the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, a significant international collaboration in nuclear fusion research. In a tribute to historical ties, the Prime Minister will also visit the Mazargues War Cemetery to honor Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the World Wars.

Meanwhile, PM Modi addressed the CEOs Forum in Paris. In a post on X, he wrote, “The India-France CEO Forum plays a key role in strengthening economic ties and fostering innovation. It is gladdening to see business leaders from both nations collaborate and create new opportunities across key sectors. This drives growth, investment, and ensures a better future for the coming generations.”

Speaking at the event, PM Modi said, “This is more than just a business event–it’s a convergence of the brightest minds from India and France. You are embracing the mantra of innovation, collaboration, and elevation, driving progress with purpose. Beyond forging boardroom connections, you are actively reinforcing the strategic partnership between India and France.”

He also underlined the deep trust and shared values between India and France, citing democratic values, innovation, and serving the people as the pillars of their friendship.

“India and France aren’t just connected by democratic values. Deep trust, innovation, and serving the people are the pillars of our friendship. Our relationship isn’t limited to just our two nations. Together, we’re providing solutions to global problems,” PM Modi added.

Meanwhile, PM Modi also co-chaired the AI Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The week-long summit culminated in a High-Level Segment attended by global leaders, policymakers, and industry experts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets United States Vice President JD Vance, at Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met U.S. Vice President J D Vance and his Indian-origin wife Usha on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit in Paris on Tuesday.

In a video shared by PMO India, the prime minister was seen holding bilateral talks with Vance, while his wife watched on.

Modi in Paris LIVE updates – February 11, 2025

It came soon after Vance’s address at the summit, in which he welcomed Modi’s positive stance on AI as co-chair of the conference with France.

“I appreciate PM Modi’s point. AI will facilitate and make people more productive. It is not going to replace human beings, it will never replace human beings,” Vance said.

The Modi-Vance meeting followed another bilateral meeting at the summit in the French capital, with Estonian President Alar Karis.

“Had a very productive meeting with the President of Estonia, Mr Alar Karis on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit in Paris. India’s ties with Estonia are growing remarkably over the years. We discussed ways to boost ties in areas like trade, technology, culture and more,” Modi posted on X, along with images of the two leaders in discussion.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the prime minister invited the Estonian government and companies to explore the opportunities offered by the India growth story and take advantage of programmes such as Digital India.

Earlier, in his concluding remarks at the AI Action Summit which he co-chaired with French President Emmanuel Macron, Modi said that the discussions have clearly brought out that there is “unity in vision and unity in purpose across stakeholders”.

“To build on the momentum of this Action Summit, India would be happy to host the next summit,” he said.

The prime minister is set for bilateral talks with Macron later on Tuesday evening.

A visit to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project and the Mazargues War Cemetery to honour Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the World Wars is also planned in Marseille before the prime minister departs for the US on Wednesday for his meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.

New Delh:

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation as a co-chair at the upcoming AI Summit in France, following an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron.

During a weekly press briefing on Friday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “France is hosting the AI summit and French President Emmanuel Macron has invited PM Modi to co-chair the summit. We have accepted the invitation. You will be informed about any further updates regarding that tour in the coming days.”

Notably, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit will be held in France from February 10 to 11. On February 10, various stakeholders, including heads of state and government representatives, will participate in multiple sessions. Macron will host a formal dinner for heads of state and other VIPs that evening while on February 11, the summit will feature a dedicated leaders’ session exclusively for heads of state.

Earlier while addressing the 30th Conference of Ambassadors in Paris on January 11, President Macron had said PM Modi will visit the country. “France will be hosting the AI Summit on February 10-11. A summit for action, as we call it. This summit will allow for an international conversation on AI. There will be Prime Minister Modi, who will move up to a major visit in our country as we want to forge a dialogue with all powers on AI.”

The French President emphasised the importance of AI as a global conversation, stating that it will include countries such as the US, China, and India, as well as, the countries from the Gulf, which have significant roles in developing and regulating AI technologies.

“The US, China, and major emerging countries such as India have a key role to play, as well as the Gulf,” Macron said.

The French Presidency further highlighted the importance of addressing issues related to disinformation and the misuse of AI, which are central topics for the summit’s discussions.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)