The AI Action Summit is a significant event that takes place as part of the Paris Peace Forum. The primary aim of the summit is to promote ethical AI practices that are inclusive, sustainable, and beneficial to all. India’s active participation in this summit is seen as a clear indication of the country’s growing influence in the global tech space, especially in shaping the future of AI. PM Modi’s presence will allow India to contribute to international policy-making efforts on the development and deployment of AI technologies.

In addition to the summit, PM Modi’s visit will focus on expanding economic and diplomatic ties between India and France. During his trip, he will hold meetings with leading CEOs of French companies to discuss potential collaborations in various sectors. PM Modi’s visit also holds historical significance as he will engage in a bilateral discussion with President Macron in Marseille on February 12th, strengthening the relationship between the two countries further.

India and France have already made strides in several areas, including aerospace, nuclear energy, and defense. Ongoing talks on civil nuclear energy could lead to substantial announcements during PM Modi’s visit. France has also been a valuable partner in India’s mission to boost its technological and industrial capabilities.

A major milestone during this visit is the opening of a new Indian consulate in Marseille. This consulate will serve as a critical diplomatic presence in southern France, helping to improve trade, cultural exchange, and people-to-people relationships. This step is part of a broader effort to solidify India’s diplomatic ties across Europe.

Earlier in January, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that French President Macron had officially invited PM Modi to co-chair the AI Action Summit. This invitation comes at a time when India is actively developing its own AI agenda, positioning the country as a key player in the global tech landscape.

The AI Action Summit itself is set to be a landmark event, with discussions expected to focus on the ethical development and use of AI technologies, and how they can be applied to tackle global challenges. The summit will be attended by heads of state, business leaders, academics, and experts from civil society. The event, scheduled to take place on February 10-11 at the Grand Palais in Paris, is an exciting opportunity for India to further its leadership role in the AI space.

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“In the last year, our relationship has seen a huge upswing. It’s not often that we can say we had such a rapid exchange of Prime Ministerial visits. We have strong political comfort and people-to-people understanding. We would like more trade, more investment, more technological collaboration, and perhaps explore ways to work together on connectivity,” Jaishankar remarked.

Greek Foreign Minister Gerapetritis expressed Greece’s readiness to enhance bilateral relations across various sectors, including tourism, culture, and trade. He emphasized that the two countries have made significant strides in recent years and that Greece is keen on strengthening cooperation, particularly within the framework of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), where both nations are members.

“In the last couple of years, the bilateral relations between Greece and India have been upscaled tremendously. We would like to upscale our bilateral relations in all respects, including tourism, culture, and trade. As members of the UNSC, we would like to echo the voice of India within the United Nations,” Gerapetritis said. “We would also like to be reliable interlocutors in the EU-India relationship. It is a unique opportunity for us as we celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations,” he added.

The Greek Foreign Minister’s visit to India is part of efforts to deepen diplomatic and strategic ties between the two countries. On Wednesday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also welcomed Gerapetritis, noting that his visit would further strengthen the growing strategic partnership between India and Greece.

India and Greece have maintained a long-standing relationship, supporting each other on key international issues such as Kashmir and Cyprus. Greece has consistently aligned with India on the Kashmir issue and supported India’s bid for a permanent seat in an expanded UNSC.

The Indian community in Greece, which has steadily grown over the years, also plays a vital role in fostering people-to-people connections. According to the 2011 Greek census, there were around 11,333 Indian nationals in Greece, with current estimates ranging between 13,000 and 14,000. The majority of these expatriates are of Punjabi origin, particularly Sikhs, and are engaged in farming, construction, and manufacturing sectors.

Gerapetritis’ visit is expected to further cement India-Greece ties, with an emphasis on expanding collaboration in strategic, economic, and diplomatic areas.

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The Additional Directorate General of Public Information of the Indian Army shared the details of the talks on X, stating that the talks reaffirmed the commitment to mutual growth in defence capabilities, aiming to foster deeper bilateral ties built on shared interests and trust.

India and Israel have long enjoyed close cooperation across multiple domains. In 2024, the two countries held the 17th India-Israel Foreign Office Consultations, highlighting the strength of their strategic partnership. These talks included an exchange of views on key regional matters, including the situations in West Asia and the Indo-Pacific.

In a related development, Lieutenant General Batoo Tshering, the Chief Operations Officer of the Royal Bhutan Army, recently concluded his six-day visit to India. The Indian Army highlighted that the visit further reinforced military cooperation between India and Bhutan, while exploring new avenues for defence collaboration. The strong, historic ties between the two countries were emphasized during this diplomatic exchange.

These ongoing dialogues and visits highlight the strengthening of defence relations in the region, promoting peace and security through mutual collaboration and trust.

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“We are not currently planning to establish a common payment system within SCO, but we are actively working on boosting the use of national currencies in transactions,” Yermekbayev said in response to a question regarding a common payment system.

The SCO’s push for greater use of national currencies in trade has gained momentum in light of Western sanctions, particularly those targeting Russia over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The SCO Secretary-General emphasized that a special roadmap is in place to advance this initiative, which includes modifying national legislation and building the necessary infrastructure to support national currency payments among SCO member states.

Yermekbayev highlighted that some countries within the SCO have already started using national currencies in their trade agreements. This aligns with the organization’s broader goals of enhancing financial sovereignty and reducing dependence on external payment systems, particularly those dominated by Western powers.

In addition to this, there are ongoing discussions about creating new financial structures within the SCO framework, including a Development Bank, Development Fund, and Investment Fund. These structures aim to promote economic integration and regional development among member states.

While discussions about a potential common currency have also been taking place within the BRICS group, the idea faces challenges, with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening tariffs on BRICS nations if they move forward with a unified currency.

Founded in 2001 by Russia and China, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has expanded over the years to include India, Pakistan, and several Central Asian nations. The organization continues to focus on improving economic collaboration and security cooperation, with Yermekbayev emphasizing that military drills conducted under SCO are strictly anti-terrorist in nature and not aimed at any specific nation.

As discussions around financial independence and economic integration continue within the SCO, the organization’s efforts to strengthen trade in national currencies mark a key step toward reducing reliance on external financial systems.

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These collaborations aim to combine the strengths of both nations, creating a strategic partnership to drive advancements in sustainability and the circular economy. The focus will be on optimizing the water-energy-food nexus, facilitating the transition toward a climate-neutral economy, and leveraging cutting-edge research to tackle global challenges.

The cooperation between Fraunhofer IGB and IIT Ropar will primarily focus on collaborative research and development. This will include identifying technology gaps and pushing for innovations that address water sustainability issues. The joint efforts will also align with India’s national missions, such as the Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat, aimed at improving water supply and sanitation across the country.

Further goals include facilitating technology transfer and establishing licensing agreements with industry stakeholders to promote large-scale adoption of sustainable technologies. The collaboration will also incorporate advanced training programs, focusing on integrating Cyber-Physical System Technologies like AI/ML, automation, and IoT into the water ecosystem.

Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut highlighted the importance of these partnerships in addressing critical global issues in health, water, energy, and sustainability. “Fraunhofer has established itself as a global leader in applied research, and this collaboration will leverage both Fraunhofer’s technological expertise and India’s vast opportunities for growth and innovation,” she stated.

Rajeev Ahuja, Director of IIT Ropar, expressed optimism about the partnership. “This MoU marks a significant milestone in advancing technology and innovation for water sustainability. We aim to create a robust Water Innovation Ecosystem that will support sustainable resource management and climate-resilient solutions,” he said. This collaboration emphasizes the shared commitment to fostering impactful advancements in water technology for a sustainable future.

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Hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in partnership with the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the LAS, the conference took place at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan. The event marked an essential step in strengthening educational ties between India and the Arab world.

The conference was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, who also delivered the keynote address. Libya’s Minister of Education, Imran Muhamed Al-Qeeb, led the Arab delegation, providing a special address to attendees.

In his welcoming remarks, UGC Chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar emphasized the importance of the conference in fostering higher education and skill development cooperation between the two regions. Following this, prominent figures such as Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities, and Farraj Aljmi, Director of Education and Scientific Research at LAS, shared their insights.

The conference featured four key sessions that addressed vital topics such as innovative academic cooperation, digital platforms in education, mutual recognition of degrees, and promoting joint research and innovation, including advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology.

The final session, held on February 6, focused on strategies for promoting faculty and student exchange, as well as curriculum development cooperation between universities. The closing ceremony was chaired by the UGC Secretary, who delivered the valedictory address, concluding the productive two-day event.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared on social media that the conference provided a platform for fruitful exchange between Arab and Indian academic institutions, strengthening the educational relationship between India and the Arab world.

The event served as a stepping stone for continued collaboration in the higher education sector, with a shared vision to transcend national borders and foster global cooperation in education. The success of the conference signifies the growing potential of educational partnerships between India and Arab countries.

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Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE’s Minister of Economy and Chairman of the UAE Circular Economy Council, highlighted that this roadmap aligns with the nation’s vision to foster a sustainable economy. He emphasized that the initiative reflects the UAE’s forward-thinking approach to adopting green technologies and innovation, thereby enhancing the nation’s attractiveness to sustainable solutions.

This new roadmap will be implemented in collaboration with local environmental stakeholders and the World Intellectual Property Organisation, with a focus on encouraging inventors and creators to develop eco-friendly innovations. Additionally, it coincides with the UAE’s Innovation Month, further emphasizing the importance of sustainability in driving national progress.

The roadmap outlines several key objectives, including accelerating the registration of patents related to sustainable technologies and eco-friendly innovations. The Ministry of Economy aims to increase the share of patent registrations for sustainable innovations to 8% of total patent filings in the UAE.

Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, reiterated the UAE’s commitment to supporting sustainability across economic sectors. He highlighted the role of the new roadmap in promoting the adoption of advanced digital solutions and technologies to create products and services that benefit environmental conservation.

The roadmap also aims to strengthen legal frameworks to protect patents related to environmental sustainability, further enhancing the UAE’s competitive position in the Global Innovation Index (GII). With a robust IP and innovation framework in place, the UAE continues to maintain its regional leadership in embracing eco-friendly initiatives and solutions.

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India, as the third-largest energy consumer worldwide, plays a pivotal role in the global energy conversation. The country is expected to see the largest surge in energy demand, a critical factor in shaping global energy trends. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is committed to advancing its energy goals with a focus on sustainability and climate action.

IEW 2025 will also host discussions on energy security, sustainable growth, and the increasing challenges posed by rising energy demand. With more than 70,000 professionals from over 120 countries expected to attend, IEW offers an unparalleled opportunity for networking and collaboration within the energy sector.

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Speaking from afar, PM Modi expressed his heartfelt connection to the occasion, despite the distance. He called the ceremony “historic” and praised the Jakarta Murugan Temple as a beacon of spirituality, culture, and unity. The presence of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the event made it even more special for the Indian Prime Minister, who highlighted the personal and deep bonds between the two leaders.

“My heart is as close to this moment as if I were present physically,” PM Modi remarked during his virtual address, emphasizing the warmth and connection shared between India and Indonesia. He also conveyed his warm wishes to the millions of devotees in both countries and around the world who were part of the sacred ceremony.

The Prime Minister underscored the historical and cultural links between the two nations, noting the deep-rooted connection spanning thousands of years. He pointed out that these ties go beyond geopolitics, grounded in shared faith, spirituality, and history, particularly through revered figures like Lord Murugan, Lord Sri Ram, and Lord Buddha. He also highlighted that for many Indians, a visit to Indonesia’s Prambanan Temple or reading works such as the Kakawin and Serat Ramayan fosters a spiritual bond similar to visiting sacred Indian sites like Kashi or Kedarnath.

Reflecting on the unity that exists between the two countries, PM Modi celebrated Indonesia’s cultural identity and philosophy of ‘Bhinneka Tunggal Ika,’ which means ‘Unity in Diversity.’ He expressed that this shared ethos of diversity and harmony is what allows people from different communities to live peacefully in both nations. He also emphasized that this sacred day reinforced the message of unity in diversity.

The Jakarta Murugan Temple, inaugurated with the laying of its foundation stone in February 2020, serves as more than just a place of worship. The temple represents a confluence of Indian, Javanese, and Balinese traditions, while also embracing the values of Pancasila, Indonesia’s state ideology. PM Modi praised the temple as a monumental milestone, adding that it’s a testament to the shared cultural values of India and Indonesia.

“Today, a new golden chapter is being added to our centuries-old heritage,” he said, recognizing the importance of the temple as not only a spiritual center but also a hub for cultural exchange and tourism. With idols of various deities installed within the temple, it showcases the diversity and richness of both countries’ traditions.

PM Modi further celebrated the growing people-to-people ties between the two nations, noting the collaborative efforts in preserving iconic cultural sites like the Prambanan and Borobudur Buddhist Temples. He expressed confidence that these shared cultural initiatives would continue to strengthen the bilateral relationship in the years to come.

The Maha Kumbhabhishekam ceremony itself is being conducted with the help of 72 Gurukals (priests) from India, ensuring the authenticity of the rituals. The temple’s establishment symbolizes the unity of Indonesia’s diverse communities and serves as a reminder of the enduring cultural and spiritual connections that link India and Indonesia.

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At a recent press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the update, adding that India is also committed to advancing its own AI capabilities. “The French President has invited Prime Minister Modi, and India has accepted the invitation. We will share further details about the summit soon,” Jaiswal said. He emphasized that India is developing a robust AI program in parallel, aiming to establish itself as a key player in the field of AI technology.

The AI Action Summit in France will bring together a diverse array of experts, from government officials and tech CEOs to academics and artists, providing a platform for cross-sector collaboration on the future of AI. The event will focus on action-oriented discussions around shaping the global landscape of artificial intelligence and its societal implications.

In addition to engaging on the international stage, India has been making significant strides in strengthening its own AI infrastructure. Jaiswal noted that India is in discussions with various partners to further develop its AI program, including collaborations in the technology sector. His remarks also highlighted that the Indian government is preparing to host open-source AI models like DeepSeek on Indian servers.

This move comes after Chinese startup DeepSeek, known for its open-source reasoning model R1, made waves by challenging the notion that large amounts of GPU hardware are needed to build advanced AI models. In response to this, India is setting up a portal where startups and researchers can access GPUs at more affordable rates, significantly enhancing the country’s capacity to develop AI models and solutions.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also confirmed that India would soon begin hosting these open-source models on Indian servers. He said the government has already worked out the necessary infrastructure, including server capacity, to support the initiative. This aligns with India’s broader goal to position itself as a leader in AI research and development.

As the global AI landscape continues to evolve, India’s participation in the AI Action Summit and its ongoing investment in AI technology signal the country’s growing role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence. The collaboration with international partners, along with the strengthening of domestic AI capabilities, reflects India’s commitment to technological innovation and its ambition to contribute meaningfully to the global AI conversation.

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