Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Arthur Mensch, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Mistral AI, in Paris on Thursday during his official visit to the French capital. The meeting focused on advancing artificial intelligence collaboration between India and Europe.
Mistral AI: A European AI Powerhouse
Mistral AI is a Paris-based European artificial intelligence company specializing in frontier-grade large language models and advanced AI infrastructure. Founded in 2023 by former Meta and Google researchers, the company develops open-weight, highly customizable AI systems that provide enterprises with full control over their data, infrastructure, and deployment. The other co-founders include Guillaume Lample, who serves as Chief Science Officer, and Timothee Lacroix, who holds the position of Chief Technology Officer.
PM Modi's Three-Nation Visit
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Paris as part of his three-nation visit, following his participation in the G7 Summit. During his stay in the city, he is scheduled to attend several crucial bilateral meetings and participate in the VivaTech Summit 2026.
India as AI Partner Country at VivaTech
VivaTech, recognized as Europe's largest technology and startup convention, serves as a premier gathering for international leaders, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and innovators. India is participating as the AI partner country during this year's edition. At the summit, PM Modi is expected to highlight India's rapidly expanding innovation landscape, focusing on its advancements in digital public infrastructure and progress in emerging technologies. India will establish the largest national pavilion at the exhibition, reflecting the vast opportunities for synergy between Indian and European tech pioneers.
Joint Sessions with French President
Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron are scheduled to participate in a series of high-level sessions at VivaTech. This joint participation will culminate in a keynote address expected to underscore India's expanding footprint as an international hub for digital transformation and innovation.
Diaspora Engagement and Cultural Events
Beyond the tech summit, the Prime Minister's itinerary in Paris features a strong focus on community engagement. He is scheduled to interact with the Indian diaspora at a dedicated event. The Paris leg of his visit will draw to a close with a massive diaspora reception, featuring cultural showcases that celebrate India's diverse and vibrant heritage.
G7 Summit Highlights
This packed schedule follows PM Modi's arrival from the G7 Summit, where he outlined India's vision on sustainable development, global governance, and international trade. In a post on X, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for deepened cooperation with nations of the Global South to foster inclusive growth and shared prosperity. During the G7 outreach deliberations, PM Modi advocated for enhanced cooperation among the G7 bloc, India, and developing nations to bolster trade and connectivity networks. He also highlighted the negative economic repercussions of the West Asia conflict on developing economies.
