India and France can make a difference amid fast-changing global economy: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Tuesday emphasized that amid the rapidly evolving global economy, India and France have the potential to make a significant impact, including by motivating the rest of the European Union (EU).

Speaking at the India-France CEO Forum in Paris, EAM Jaishankar highlighted the need for diversified production, reliable and resilient supply chains, and deeper business collaborations in today’s dynamic world.

“This applies as much to manufacturing as it does to health,” he told the gathering.

Stressing that India and France are two nations with a tradition of independent thinking, he said, “We are also actively working to strengthen each other’s position and make our collaboration an important element of contemporary world affairs.”

“The more we strengthen our positions, the more we help stabilize the global economy in volatile and uncertain times. The ‘Make in India’ initiative has opened up many new possibilities in that regard,” said EAM Jaishankar on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit.

He noted that the summit itself serves as a reminder of the vast opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI), software development, and cybersecurity. He also highlighted the upcoming “India-France Year of Innovation” in 2026 as a key driver for expanding collaboration.

“I would say, please do weigh in on our FTA negotiations. Defence, manufacturing, and aerospace are well-established areas of our cooperation. Both the nature and the scale of this collaboration are today poised for a big jump, and the challenge before us is, can we make the most of it,” he said.

Jaishankar also touched upon India’s ongoing clean energy transition, rapidly evolving infrastructure, and advancements in digital public infrastructure (DPI).

Earlier in the day, he met with his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, in Paris, where the two leaders discussed strengthening India-France bilateral ties with a focus on AI, innovation, connectivity, and clean energy.

The AI Action Summit brought together global leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who delivered an inspiring speech on AI, along with top tech CEOs who deliberated on the future of AI, emphasizing innovation and ethical development.