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BUSINESS & TRADE JUNE 26, 2026 | The Indian Eye 34

India’s AI Ambitions Get Global Backing

as Mistral Seeks Collaboration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Mistral AI CEO Arthur Mensch

in Paris highlighted India’s growing focus on artificial intelligence as a driver of

economic growth, innovation and technological self-reliance

OUR BUREAU technology, become better at build-
ing it through startups... and through
Paris / Mumbai
the general training of the popula-
rtificial intelligence has tion so that they make better use of
emerged as one of the defin- that technology to learn faster and to
Aing pillars of India’s economic build business faster and to generally
strategy, with the country’s leadership be more efficient in their life,” he said.
increasingly viewing the technology as This approach reflects one of In-
a catalyst for productivity, innovation dia’s comparative advantages. With
and long-term competitiveness. Prime one of the world’s youngest work-
Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting forces and a thriving startup ecosys-
with Arthur Mensch, Co-founder and tem, widespread AI adoption could
Chief Executive Officer of France- improve productivity across sectors
based Mistral AI, during his visit to ranging from manufacturing and
Paris reflects New Delhi’s growing healthcare to financial services, edu-
determination to build indigenous AI cation and agriculture. Rather than
capabilities while forging strategic in- replacing labour, policymakers in-
ternational partnerships. creasingly see AI as a productivity
The discussions went beyond multiplier capable of enabling busi-
technology cooperation. They under- nesses to scale faster and compete
scored a broader economic vision in internationally.
which artificial intelligence is expect- The discussions also highlighted
ed to transform industries, strengthen the importance of building a complete
startups, modernise governance and AI value chain. Mensch explained that
create new opportunities for busi- sovereignty extends from “the energy
nesses across sectors. At the heart of supply all the way to the creation of what
the conversation was the concept of we call tokens and the creation and dis-
“sovereign AI” — ensuring that coun- tribution of this technology to the peo-
tries retain control over the critical ple.” Such an integrated approach rec-
infrastructure, computing resources Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Co-Founder & CEO, Mistral Ai, Arthur Mensch, in Paris ognises that AI leadership depends not
and data that power next-generation on Thursday (DPR PMO/ANI Photo) only on software but also on computing
AI systems. infrastructure, reliable power, skilled
“It was a great pleasure for me not become the preserve of a few mul- valuable as India seeks to develop an talent and broad-based adoption.
to be received by His Excellency,” tinational companies or governments. end-to-end AI ecosystem spanning Equally significant was Mensch’s
Mensch said after the meeting. “We “AI is too important a technology not computing infrastructure, software, assessment of Prime Minister Modi’s
discussed artificial intelligence. We’re to be controlled by sovereign states talent development and enterprise understanding of the technology. “I
a company building sovereign AI ca- and not to be controlled by sovereign adoption. Rather than relying entirely was impressed by the understanding
pabilities across the world. The discus- companies,” he said, stressing that ev- on imported technologies, the objec- of the Prime Minister and his leader-
sion revolved around how to build a ery country should benefit from the tive is to create domestic capabilities ship on artificial intelligence,” he said.
full-stack solution that is resilient and economic growth AI is expected to that can support Indian businesses “I was also impressed by the fact that
that is escaping foreign control, which generate. while remaining globally competitive. there’s actually very strong alignment
is something that we can help with.” The meeting also highlighted In- A notable aspect of the discus- with what he says and what we’ve
The emphasis on sovereignty dia’s growing appeal as an AI innova- sions was the focus on democratis- been saying for the last three years.”
comes at a time when AI development tion hub. According to the Ministry ing access to artificial intelligence. For businesses, the implications
is increasingly concentrated among a of External Affairs, Prime Minister Mensch emphasised that AI should are substantial. Greater access to AI
handful of global technology giants. Modi showcased the opportunities benefit not only technology companies tools could improve efficiency, accel-
For India, which has built globally within India’s expanding AI ecosys- but also citizens, public servants and erate product development and low-
competitive digital public infrastruc- tem, while Mensch expressed Mistral entrepreneurs across the economy. er barriers to innovation for startups
ture over the past decade, policymak- AI’s strong interest in collaborating “It also revolved a lot around how and small enterprises. International
ers see AI as the next frontier where with India and partnering with Indian to make AI available to everyone, partnerships with companies such as
technological independence will have companies to drive innovation and ex- both to the citizens, to the civil ser- Mistral AI can also provide access
significant economic implications. pand AI capabilities. vants, and how to make sure that the to cutting-edge technologies while
Mensch argued that AI should Such partnerships could prove people of India actually train on that helping develop indigenous expertise.

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