PM Modi meets top CEOs in France, discusses plans for India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Alstom CEO Martin Sion in Paris on Thursday. Photo: @MEAIndia/X via ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met top business executives here on Thursday (June 18, 2026) and discussed investment opportunities and expansion plans in India.

The talks with CEOs of French companies focused on strengthening cooperation across sectors ranging from shipping and logistics to railways, construction and artificial intelligence, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Modi attended the G7 summit in the last two days and held talks with several world leaders, including US President Donald Trump.

Among those who met the Prime Minister in Paris was Rodolphe Saade, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM, for discussions focused on maritime transport, logistics and global supply chains.

“We had global discussions about developments that we could potentially implement in India. We discussed shipbuilding, ship recycling, deep sea ports and also container building,” Mr Saade said. “I see a lot of potential for France and India to continue to work together and establish new partnerships. As far as we are concerned, we see (relations with our Indian partnerships) as very good and I believe we can do more in the field of transport and logistics,” he said.

Mr Saade said India plays a “major role in the supply chains of the world”. “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 right now,” he said.

According to the ministry, Mr Modi noted the group’s “strong and growing presence in India”.

Prime Minister Modi will fly to Delhi after completing a two-country visit to France and Slovakia

In a post on X, the ministry said Mr Saade highlighted CMA CGM’s plans for India, including “ongoing investments, expansion plans and initiatives that drive skills development, shipbuilding, logistics expansion and supply chain innovation”.

Mr. Modi also met Benoit Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Saint-Gobain and discussed opportunities in the materials and construction sector with a special focus on sustainability.

The Prime Minister noted “Saint-Gobain’s strong presence and investments in India, which are creating opportunities for Indian youth”, the ministry said.

Mr. Bazin shared Saint-Gobain’s plans for “further investment and expansion in India,” according to the ministry.

Mr. Modi separately met Martin Sion, CEO of Alstom, and they discussed opportunities in the field of mobility and rail modernization. The ministry said the prime minister noted Alstom’s “significant investment and manufacturing presence in India, which is contributing to job creation and growth in the Indian railway sector”.

Mr Sion shared plans for “further expansion and investment in India”.

Mr Modi also met Arthur Mensch, co-founder and CEO of Mistral AI, and highlighted the opportunities in India’s “growing artificial intelligence ecosystem”.

Mr Mensch expressed Mistral AI’s “strong interest in working with India and partnering with Indian companies to support innovation and expand AI capabilities”, the ministry said.

Published – 19 Jun 2026 01:15 IST