India and France have unveiled a joint roadmap to develop safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence alongside a landmark partnership on advanced modular reactors (AMRs) and small modular reactors (SMRs). Announced during meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron in Marseille, this initiative marks a new era of collaboration in science, innovation and clean energy.
Key Takeaways
- Launch of a joint India–France AI roadmap centered on open, democratic values and ethical standards
- Declaration of intent to co-develop SMRs and AMRs for sustainable, low-carbon electricity
- Commitments to industrial partnerships, joint research and training in civil nuclear energy
- Support for open-source AI models, digital public infrastructure and quality data sharing
- Plans for trilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and hosting Indian AI startups at France’s Station F
Joint AI Roadmap
The India–France Declaration on Artificial Intelligence outlines a framework to ensure AI development aligns with democratic values, legal norms and ethical safeguards.
Key Pillars of the Roadmap:
| Pillar | Description |
|---|---|
| Safety & Security | Prevent discrimination, disinformation and privacy violations |
| Openness | Promote free resources, open-source tools and decentralized AI |
| Governance | Establish transparent rules, IP rights and data protection |
| Collaboration | Deepen research on large language models and computing capacities |
Priority Actions:
- Develop open, reusable large language models (LLMs).
- Foster civil society initiatives on AI ethics and child online safety.
- Build digital public infrastructure for data sharing and personal data protection.
- Host 10 Indian AI startups at France’s Station F.
Civil Nuclear Partnership
Building on India’s amended Atomic Energy Act and a ₹20,000 crore R&D budget, both nations finalized a declaration of intent on SMRs and AMRs. Key components include:
- Joint design, development and production of modular reactors
- Collaborative training programs for researchers and nuclear professionals
- Cooperation between India’s DAE/GCNEP and France’s CEA/INSTN
- Shared R&D on advanced reactor safety, components and fuel cycles
With AI data centers driving unprecedented electricity demand, SMRs and AMRs offer flexible, low-carbon power solutions to meet future needs.
Wider Strategic Cooperation
Beyond AI and nuclear energy, India and France will:
- Launch a Centre for Digital Sciences (India’s DST & France’s INRIA)
- Implement demand-driven development projects in the Indo-Pacific
- Strengthen trilateral ties with Australia and the UAE in innovation, health and renewable energy
- Coordinate on global challenges, including the Middle East and Ukraine
Looking Ahead
As India prepares to host the next AI Summit and both countries mark 2026 as the Year of Innovation, this partnership sets the stage for decades of joint progress in technology, energy security and sustainable development.
