India, France Strengthen Cooperation in Shipping, Logistics, and AI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with leading French business executives in Paris on June 18, 2026, to discuss investment opportunities and expansion plans in India.
The discussions with the CEOs of French companies focused on strengthening cooperation across sectors, including shipping and logistics, railways, construction, and artificial intelligence.
Key Takeaways
- India and France to cooperate in shipbuilding, ship recycling, and deep-sea ports.
- CMA CGM to invest in skill development, shipbuilding, and logistics in India.
- Saint-Gobain to expand investments and presence in India's materials and construction sector.
- Alstom to invest in mobility and railway modernisation in India.
- Mistral AI to collaborate with Indian companies to drive innovation and expand AI capabilities.
According to the External Affairs Ministry, Prime Minister Modi noted the strong and growing presence of French companies in India.
Quotes from French CEOs
Rodolphe Saade, chairman and CEO of CMA CGM, said, "We had global discussions on development that we could eventually implement in India. We discussed shipbuilding, ship recycling, deep-sea ports as well as building containers."
Mr. Saade also highlighted CMA CGM's plans for India, including ongoing investments, expansion plans, and initiatives that are leading to skill development, shipbuilding, expansion in logistics, and innovation in supply chain.
Benoit Bazin, chairman and CEO of Saint-Gobain, shared the company's plans for further investments and expansion in India's materials and construction sector.
Martin Sion, CEO of Alstom, discussed opportunities in mobility and railway modernisation in India.
Arthur Mensch, co-founder and CEO of Mistral AI, expressed the company's strong interest in collaborating with India and partnering with Indian companies to drive innovation and expand AI capabilities.
Conclusion
The meetings between Prime Minister Modi and French CEOs mark a significant step forward in strengthening India-France relations and cooperation in key sectors.