What happened?
On February 10, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for a four-day visit to France and the United States. During his trip, he will engage in talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump. PM Modi will be in France from February 10-12, co-chairing the AI Action Summit and inaugurating the first Indian Consulate in Marseille. He will also visit the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project, which India partners with. From France, he will proceed to the United States for a two-day visit from February 13-14 to meet President Trump.
Why it matters to India:
These visits are significant as it marks the first meeting between PM Modi and President Trump following the latter’s second-term inauguration. The visit to the U.S. will provide an opportunity to review and strengthen the India-U.S. strategic partnership, focusing on technology, trade, defence, energy, and supply chain resilience. For India, the trip to France underscores the strengthening of India-France ties, particularly in sectors such as artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, and defence collaboration. The visit to both nations is a step towards cementing India’s position as a global leader in technology and innovation while reinforcing diplomatic and economic ties with key international partners.