Prime Minister Narendra Modi met U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Élysée Palace in Paris on February 10, 2025, where the two leaders exchanged pleasantries ahead of the AI Action Summit. Modi congratulated Vance on the Republican Party’s victory in the U.S. presidential election, marking their first interaction before Modi’s upcoming visit to Washington.
A video posted by French President Emmanuel Macron shows the two leaders shaking hands and Modi saying, “Congratulations. Great, great victory.” Vance responded with, “Thank you so much. So nice to see you.”
The AI Action Summit, co-chaired by Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, followed shortly after this brief interaction. On February 11, the summit addressed the growing impact of artificial intelligence on global economies. Both Modi and Vance took part in discussions highlighting AI’s potential to drive productivity while ensuring it complements the workforce rather than replacing humans.
Modi remarked on the potential disruption AI could cause in the job market, referring to it as “AI’s most feared disruption.” He stressed, however, that technological advancements do not eliminate jobs; rather, they change the nature of work and open doors to new types of employment. He urged for investment in reskilling the workforce to adapt to an AI-driven future.
Vance, who addressed the summit right after Modi, emphasized that AI should enhance productivity rather than threaten employment. “AI will never replace human beings,” Vance stated. “We believe it will make us more productive, more prosperous, and more free.”
In addition to discussing AI, both leaders touched on strengthening global cooperation on technology and innovation. The summit gathered world leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, to engage in collaborative dialogue on the future of AI.
This meeting with Vance comes just days before Modi’s scheduled discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, marking a new chapter in the India-U.S. relationship. Modi’s visit is seen as an opportunity to expand on the successes of previous collaborations, particularly in the fields of defense, trade, technology, and energy.
The timing of Modi’s visit also coincides with heightened concerns over trade, especially in light of recent tariff moves by the Trump administration. Modi’s discussions with Trump are expected to address issues such as U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, as well as broader economic ties between the two nations.
Ahead of his meeting with Trump, Modi has expressed optimism about strengthening the India-U.S. strategic partnership. He emphasized that his trip would be an opportunity to build upon the successes of their previous collaboration, focusing on mutual interests in technology, trade, and defense.
As PM Modi continues his diplomatic engagements in Paris and prepares for his U.S. visit, the outcome of these discussions will likely set the tone for future cooperation between India and the U.S., particularly in emerging sectors like AI and advanced technologies.
