Paris:

Vice President JD Vance met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, where they discussed topics of mutual interest, including how the United States can assist India in diversifying its energy sourcing through investments in clean, “reliable” US nuclear technology, confirmed an official statement from the White House.

Following the meeting, the two leaders, along with the Second Lady of the United States, Usha Vance, enjoyed coffee together. Prime Minister Modi also took the opportunity to share gifts with the Vance children and wished the Vice President’s son, Vivek, a happy birthday, the White House statement added.

“Today, Vice President JD Vance met with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. The two leaders, along with the Second Lady of the United States Usha Vance, enjoyed coffee together and discussed topics of mutual interest, including how the United States can assist India in diversifying its energy sourcing through investments in clean, reliable US nuclear technology. Prime Minister Modi graciously shared gifts with the Vance children and wished the Vice President’s son, Vivek, a happy birthday,” the statement read.

Following the meeting, PM Modi wrote on X, “Had a wonderful meeting with US Vice President JD Vance and his family. We had a great conversation on various subjects. Delighted to join them in celebrating the joyous birthday of their son, Vivek!”

Had a wonderful meeting with US @VP @JDVance and his family. We had a great conversation on various subjects. Delighted to join them in celebrating the joyous birthday of their son, Vivek! pic.twitter.com/gZpmt1jg5M

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 11, 2025

In response, US Vice President JD Vance expressed his gratitude towards PM Modi, saying, “Prime Minister Modi was gracious and kind, and our kids really enjoyed the gifts. I’m grateful to him for the wonderful conversation.”

PM Modi will visit the US on February 12-13 at the invitation of US President Donald Trump. This will be the first meeting between the two leaders since President Trump assumed office for his second term.

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

Paris:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Marseille in southern France and paid homage to the memory of freedom fighter V D Savarkar, who attempted a “courageous escape” at the port city.

“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,” Modi said in a post on X after arriving there Tuesday night (local time).

He added, “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!” During British colonial rule, freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar had attempted an escape from captivity on July 8, 1910, while he was being transported on board the British ship Morea to India to stand trial.

He is known to have slipped out of the ship’s porthole and managed to swim ashore before being captured by the French authorities and then handed back into the custody of the British ship authorities. It triggered a major diplomatic row as Savarkar went on to be sentenced to life imprisonment at Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Prime Minister Modi is in Marseille to inaugurate a new Consulate General of India with French President Emmanuel Macron. The leaders have a series of engagements planned for Wednesday, including an expected visit to the Mazargues War Cemetery to honour the sacrifice of Indian soldiers who died fighting in the World Wars.

A tour of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, an international nuclear fusion collaboration, is also on their agenda.

Earlier on Tuesday, they addressed the AI Action Summit and the 14th India-France CEOs Forum. PTI AK TIR TIR

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

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.