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PM Modi meets French CEOs, discusses investment and expansion in India

Published on: 18 Jun 2026, 07:45 PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to France, met with several leading business executives to discuss investment opportunities and expansion plans in India. The meetings took place on Thursday, June 18, 2026, following his participation in the G7 Summit.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions focused on strengthening cooperation across various sectors including shipping, logistics, railways, construction, and artificial intelligence. The Prime Minister also held talks with world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, on the sidelines of the summit.

One of the key meetings was with Rodolphe Saade, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM, a French shipping and logistics company. Their discussion centered on maritime shipping, logistics, and global supply chains. Mr. Saade stated that they explored possibilities for development that could be implemented in India, covering shipbuilding, ship recycling, deep-sea ports, and container construction. He noted the strong potential for future cooperation between France and India and emphasized India's growing role in global supply chains. 'The fact that we are now in a position to build container ships in India is definitely a good step forward. The future of India is happening now,' he said.

The Ministry reported that Mr. Modi acknowledged CMA CGM's strong and growing presence in India. In a post on X, the Ministry highlighted that Mr. Saade shared the company's plans for ongoing investments, expansion, skill development, shipbuilding, logistics expansion, and innovation in supply chains within India.

Prime Minister Modi also met Benoit Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Saint-Gobain, a materials and construction company. Their discussion focused on opportunities in the materials and construction sector, particularly emphasizing sustainability. Mr. Modi noted Saint-Gobain's strong presence and investments in India, which are creating opportunities for Indian youth. Mr. Bazin shared the company's plans for further investments and expansion in the country.

In another meeting, Mr. Modi met Martin Sion, CEO of Alstom, a company specializing in mobility and railway modernisation. The Prime Minister recognized Alstom's significant investments and manufacturing presence in India, which contribute to job creation and the growth of India's rail sector. Mr. Sion outlined plans for further expansion and investments in India.

Additionally, the Prime Minister met Arthur Mensch, co-founder and CEO of Mistral AI, an artificial intelligence company. They discussed opportunities in India's growing AI ecosystem. Mr. Mensch expressed strong interest in collaborating with India and partnering with Indian companies to drive innovation and expand AI capabilities, according to the Ministry.

Source: The Hindu

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