India and France announced that they would continue to work closely to implement the Middle East Corridor (MC) project.

The project proposes to connect India to Europe through sea and land routes.

A discussion on the project was held during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to France, where he spoke at the Paris Action summit
and held talks with President mmanuel Macron.

“The two leaders recalled the launch of the ndia-Middle ast-urope Corridor (MC) on the margins of the G20 ummit in Delhi in eptember 2023 and agreed to work together more closely on implementing the initiative,” said a joint statement issued after the visit.

MC, which involves the participation of srael, had failed to make headway because of the Gaza conflict.

The French and the ndian leadership highlighted the importance of the project for the prosperity of ndia and urope.

Foreign ecretary Vikram Misri informed the media that after the Paris A summit, Modi reached Marseille on Tuesday in the French presidential
aircraft. During an interaction, Mr. Macron said, “Marseilles will be the entry point for the whole uropean market, and MC will channel a lot of energy
to Marseille.”

To develop reactors jointly

The two sides also agreed to develop nuclear reactors jointly. The joint statement said that officials from both sides signed a letter of intent on production of small modular reactors (MRs) and advanced modular reactors (AMRs).

Modi and Macron described nuclear energy as an “essential part of the energy mix”. The MRs are factory-fabricated nuclear reactors that are smaller
in size and capacity than the conventional nuclear reactors.

Modi and Macron jointly inaugurated the new ndian Consulate General in Marseille on Wednesday (February 12, 2025). Marseille will host the Mediterranean edition of the flagship discussion event of the Ministry of xternal Affairs – Raisina Dialogue – this year where stakeholders from multiple sectors are expected to participate.

After the inauguration of the Consulate General in Marseille, Modi recounted ndia’s ties with Marseille as ndian soldiers were based there during the World War . “President mmanuel Macron and inaugurated the ndian Consulate in this vibrant city, marking a new chapter in ndia-France ties. This consulate will serve as an important bridge, strengthening our cultural, economic, and people-to-people connections,” said Mr. Modi in a message after the inauguration.

The joint statement recognised the “strategic location” of Marseille in the Mediterranean Sea, and the port city's role in supporting “connectivity, sustainable growth trajectories, and access to clean energy”. 

AI summit in India

The Foreign ecretary said the bilateral discussions between the two sides were held during the Paris-Marseille flight, and covered areas such as space, civil nuclear cooperation, health and people-to-people relations. e announced that the A Action ummit in Paris accepted India’s proposal and accordingly, the next big global summit on A would be held in India.

India and France welcomed “concrete projects” and greater trilateral engagements with the United Arab mirates and Australia covering areas such as “innovation, health, renewable energy, education, culture and the maritime domain”, according to the official statement.

During the Paris A summit, Mr. Modi co-chaired a session with Mr. Macron, following which the two leaders jointly addressed the ndia-France COs Forum. Mr. Misri said both leaders exchanged views on the recent geopolitical developments in urope, West Asia and the ndo-Pacific. During his Paris visit, Mr. Modi also met stonian President Alar Karis and U.. Vice-President J.D. Vance.

Modi and Macron visited the Mazargues War Cemetery, which holds the remains of ndian soldiers who died in the 20th century World Wars in urope.

The two leaders also visited the TR (nternational Thermonuclear xperimental Reactor Facility) in Cadarache.
 Agencies