PM Modi meets CEO of Saint-Gobain, focuses on investment and innovation along with technology

Paris. After attending the G-7 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached France on the next leg of his three-nation tour, where he met Benoit Bazin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saint-Gobain. This meeting held in Paris has taken place at a time when emphasis is being laid on giving new impetus to investment, technology and industrial cooperation between India and France. This visit of the Prime Minister is not limited to diplomatic meetings only, but its focus is also on technological innovation, startup ecosystem and global investment.

The meeting of Prime Minister Modi and Benoit Bazin is being considered important from the point of view of economic and industrial cooperation between India and France. Saint-Gobain is counted among the leading industrial companies in the world and has a strong presence in India as well. In such a situation, this meeting is considered important towards further strengthening cooperation in areas like investment, manufacturing, green technology and infrastructure. India is constantly trying to attract global companies for investment and this meeting of the Prime Minister is being considered a part of that strategy.

During his Paris visit, Prime Minister Modi will also participate in Vivatech 2026. It is considered to be Europe’s largest technology and startup conference. This time India has been included as an AI partner country, which reflects India’s growing digital strength and technological capabilities. In the conference, the Prime Minister will present to the world the progress being made in India’s digital public infrastructure, startup ecosystem, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. India will also set up the largest national pavilion at the event.

Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron will jointly participate in several high-level sessions during the VivaTech conference. The joint address of the two leaders is likely to focus on technological cooperation, innovation and digital transformation between India and France. Through this platform, India will present itself as a global digital hub and innovation centre. Partnership in artificial intelligence, startups, research and new technologies between the two countries is also expected to get a new direction.

Before reaching France, at the G-7 summit, Prime Minister Modi had presented India’s perspective on issues related to sustainable development, global governance and international trade. He stressed the need to increase cooperation with countries of the Global South and advocated inclusive development. The Prime Minister said that better cooperation between G-7 countries, India and developing countries can strengthen trade and connectivity. He also drew attention to the negative impacts on the economies of developing countries due to the ongoing conflicts in West Asia.