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

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with leading company executives here on Thursday, June 18, 2026, and discussed investment opportunities and expansion plans in India.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meetings with CEOs of French companies focused on strengthening cooperation in various sectors, from transport and logistics to railways, construction and artificial intelligence.

Mr Modi attended the G7 Summit in the past two days and held talks with many world leaders, including US President Donald Trump.

Rodolphe Saade, president and CEO of CMA CGM, was among those who met with the Prime Minister in Paris for discussions focusing on shipping, logistics and global supply chains.

“We had global discussions on development that we could eventually implement in India. We discussed shipbuilding, ship recycling, deep-sea ports and container construction,” Mr. Saade said. “I see great potential for France and India to continue to cooperate and establish new partnerships. We see our relationship with our partnerships in India as very good and I believe we can do more in the field of transportation and logistics,” he said.

Mr Saade said India “will play an important role in the world’s supply chains”. “The fact that we are now in a position to build container ships in India is definitely a good step forward. India’s future is happening now,” he said.

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

In a post XThe ministry said Mr Saade highlighted CMA CGM’s plans for India, including “ongoing investments, expansion plans and initiatives leading to skills development, shipbuilding, expansion in logistics and supply chain innovation”.

Mr Modi also met with Benoit Bazin, chairman and CEO of Saint-Gobain, and discussed opportunities in the materials and construction sector, with particular emphasis on sustainability.

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

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

Mr Modi met Alstom CEO Martin Sion separately and discussed opportunities in mobility and rail modernisation. The ministry said the Prime Minister noted Alstom’s “significant investments and manufacturing presence in India, contributing to job creation and growth of 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 AI ecosystem”.

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