PM Modi, Macron to have 'very thought-provoking discussions': Ambassador Singla | Interview

The India-France relationship has emerged as one of the most dynamic and strategic partnerships on the global stage. Spanning 25 years, this alliance is rooted in shared values such as strategic autonomy and a mutual vision for addressing global challenges, from climate change to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Over the years, the bond has only grown stronger, highlighted by high-profile visits, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence as the Chief Guest at France’s Bastille Day celebrations and President Emmanuel Macron’s reciprocal visit to India for Republic Day.

In this exclusive interview with the Firstpost Managing Editor Palki Sharma, India’s Ambassador to France Singla sheds light on how India and France are pioneering solutions to global challenges. He also discusses France’s plan to welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030, the strategic importance of opening a new Indian consulate in Marseille and the potential for collaboration on small modular nuclear reactors.

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We have been tracking the India-France relationship over the years and it seems to have become one of the strongest and closest over the past few years. What is it that drives this relationship according to you?

Singla: You know, as you said, we, we enjoy the two countries, enjoy a very broad-based and comprehensive strategic partnership. It’s a partnership that goes back 25 years. And if I recall correctly, France was the 1st Western country with which we had a strategic partnership in the first place. And this is why we had our Prime Minister coming here as the chief guest on Bastille Day two years ago and then we had the return visit of President Macron as Chief Kist at our National Day last year. We not only have a deep strategic partnership going back 25 years, but we’ve also laid out a roadmap for the next 25 years of strategic partnership. And I guess the why it’s so comprehensive and broad-based is because at its core, the two countries share a common philosophy, which is probably anchored around strategic autonomy. And that’s in response to how the world is changing around us, you know, whether it’s climate change, whether it’s emerging technologies like AI, which you referred to, whether it’s geopolitical developments. And that’s a lot of comprehensive and ambitious agenda.

And when we talk about a bilateral relationship, we in the press invariably also talk about the chemistry between leaders. And there are two sides. Some people say it doesn’t matter. It’s the national interest that takes over. Others say that how two people respond to each other also drives the direction of the relationship. Prime Minister Modi and President Macron are two very different people and yet they seem to have developed a very close bond. What do you think makes this relationship tick?"

Singla: Well, I think it’s a question you best ask the two leaders themselves. But in my humble opinion, it does matter to have personal chemistry between the two leaders for the simple reason that it helps to shape a new agenda, it helps to set a new agenda and it helps to move the agenda. And that’s very important. Of course, I guess there’s chemistry between the two leaders because somewhere the two leaders have, they are very strong, leaders with a lot of belief in the power to shape the life of the common man through the use of technology and they share the same vision of the geopolitical developments unfolding around us and therefore it helps them click.

In 2015, India and France launched the International Solar Alliance. Now we are working together on AI or hope to work. Is there a conscious and concerted effort to find avenues where both countries can work together or is this just a coincidental alignment of interests?

Singla: I think it was essentially a response to the forces that are shaping the world around, in this case, climate change and emerging technologies. You’re aware of how the prime minister is very passionate about our heritage when it comes to nature and the environment. Even, France has been at the forefront of these issues. For instance, they were the host for COP21, which the Prime Minister had attended at that time. Right now, when it comes to emerging technologies like AI, again, it’s a technology that has enormous potential implications, not only for our society but for the economy for our politics. We come from the global south, where we have an altogether different set of concerns about how it’s going to impact our labour force, how it’s going to impact our work, and how there should not be another digital divide. So these are issues on which both the leaders, both the countries have a similar outlook in the sense it should be safe, it should be secure, trustworthy and that’s why it’s an effort to shape this debate, taking it forward through collaboration.

India is very serious about AI. We’ve heard from the Prime Minister, IT Ministry and the budget as well. What does India bring to the table at a forum like this in terms of AI investments and innovation?

Singla: I think what it brings to the table are one, concerns of the global south, and two, our capabilities, our deep capabilities, technical capabilities. So we have our concerns on how the fruits of this technology should not be concentrated in some geographies or in some companies. Instead, there should be more equitable access including capacity building where it is required. Apart from our concerns about the data which has to be anchored in India so that it is without bias. It’s not, most of the AI models you see right now, are geared more toward an English-speaking audience. Whereas in India, we have a different culture, we have a multiplicity of dialects and therefore we have to have AI tools that are anchored in our cultural diversity apart from the fact that as I said. we bring to the table our deep technical pool and that’s what we are working on.

India under Prime Minister Modi has of course pushed for multipolarity. Do you think that AI will be central to this conversation going forward of a multipolar world?

Oh absolutely. We have so many variables in the multipolar world and the implications of an emerging technology that has huge potential to reshape the life around us. Absolutely.

2026 has been declared by both India and France as the year of innovation. What sort of initiatives or announcements should we expect under this?

Singla: It’s an issue that is still under discussion in terms of modalities for developing a road map of how to implement it. And that’s something in which France has already prepared a concept paper on the themes, on the implementation both sides are in discussion on how to take it forward. I think on our side the Ministry of External Affairs would be the nodal anchor point which would coordinate with other parts of the government to take it forward. And I’m sure there would be discussions on it between the two leaders.

And the meeting is expected on Monday night in Paris between Prime Minister Modi and President Macron. What sort of announcements should we expect?

Singla: I can’t second guess the discussions that are going to take place, but it’s reasonable to assume that they would be discussing the entire gamut of issues, whether they are global, whether they are regional, whether they are thematic. And I’m sure there would be some very, very thought-provoking discussions ahead.

Do we expect something on nuclear reactors?

Singla: You might be aware that we had the first meeting of the Special Task Force between the two sides take place last month. Our Foreign Secretary was here.

It was a good meeting because there were some interesting ideas which were put forward in the meeting, and I think there was a lot of interest in taking forward the collaboration on small modular nuclear reactors. That’s something that we can look forward to.

France has also announced that it wants to take 30,000 Indian students this year. And we’ve seen some developments in Australia, in Canada in the US and the future of Indian students going there is being discussed. Do you think France can become then the top destination, and what has been the response from the Indian side?

Singla: Yes, so the 30,000 target has been set by the year 2030 and we already have about 10,000 Indian students here. It’s an effort by the French government, by the Indian government recognising Indian talent which can benefit the French economy, which can benefit both sides. And to that extent, I think the effort is to make the ecosystem much more attractive here for Indian students. And it’s a work in progress and we are going to see the fruits of it in the years to come.

Do you foresee language being a barrier?

There are already steps being taken to facilitate that, to overcome that. For instance, the students are coming here to pursue their master’s courses. they have an option of undergoing French classes here in French institutions for part of their curriculum.

Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will be opening a consulate in Marseille. Can you tell our viewers the strategic significance of this mission?

Well, our consulate in Marseille has been a long-standing demand. It would serve four southern regions of France. And that region is important because for us we have considerable diaspora there. We have about 12,000 Indians there. That region also accounts for, if I recall correctly, about 10% of our bilateral trade. But other than that, it’s home to major industries like the aerospace industry, the chemical industry and biotechnology. And it’s the major Mediterranean hub.

Marseille is the second largest city in France and it’s also the landing point for a major optic fibre cable. So in terms of our overall vision and context for the IMEC, that becomes an important point and that’s where we look forward to opening this consulate and serving our diaspora and our interests in that region better. Ambassador Singla, I know it’s a very, very busy time for you.