The Business End

Technology may have dominated the public conversation, but the business engagements offered an equally revealing insight into the direction of the partnership.

Away from the conference halls and public events, Prime Minister Modi held a series of meetings with some of France’s most influential corporate leaders, representing sectors that are expected to play a central role in India’s economic transformation over the coming decades. Artificial intelligence, transportation, logistics, advanced materials and sustainable construction may appear to belong to different worlds, yet together they offer a revealing snapshot of the areas where India and France increasingly find common ground.

Discussions with Arthur Mensch, the co-founder and CEO of Mistral AI, reflected the growing importance of artificial intelligence in the global economy. India has emerged as one of the world’s most dynamic digital markets, while France has positioned itself as a significant European player in the AI space. The conversation was therefore not simply about technology, but about the possibilities that emerge when innovation ecosystems begin to intersect.

A similar logic underpinned discussions with Martin Sion, CEO of Alstom. Few sectors illustrate India’s developmental ambitions more clearly than transportation infrastructure. Across the country, metro systems are expanding, high-speed rail projects are gathering momentum and investments in connectivity continue to reshape urban and regional landscapes. Alstom has long been part of that story, and the meeting reflected the continuing importance of industrial partnerships that combine technology, manufacturing and long-term investment.

The discussion with Benoit Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Saint-Gobain, highlighted another dimension of India’s growth journey. As cities expand and infrastructure requirements become more complex, sustainability is no longer a peripheral consideration. It is increasingly central to how construction, manufacturing and urban development are being reimagined. In that context, cooperation in advanced materials and sustainable building technologies acquires a significance that extends well beyond individual projects.

Taken individually, these meetings addressed different sectors and different opportunities. Viewed collectively, however, they revealed a broader pattern. French companies increasingly see India as a long-term partner in innovation, manufacturing and growth, while India continues to value the expertise, technology and investment that French industry brings to the table. The relationship has moved well beyond the traditional buyer-seller dynamic. It is increasingly characterised by collaboration, co-creation and shared ambition.