Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a welcome dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace on Monday before the crucial Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit in Paris.

Macron described Modi as his 'friend'.

In his X post, Macron said: "Welcome to Paris, my friend @NarendraModi ! Nice to meet you dear @VP Vance! Welcome to all our partners for the AI Action Summit.."

Macron also shared a video of Modi's arrival to the palace for the welcome dinner.

Modi met US  Vice President JD Vance at the venue who is also visiting Paris for the summit.

This is the first interaction between Modi and Vance since the US leader took oath in January.

Earlier in the day, Modi received a grand welcome from the Indian community after he landed in Paris.

During his visit, PM Modi will be holding talks with Macron towards strengthening India-France relations.

He will also be going to Marseille to inaugurate a Consulate there.

He was accorded a grand welcome by the Indian community on his arrival despite the cold weather.

Modi to visit the US after Paris

Following his visit to Paris, PM Modi will head to the US to meet President Donald Trump in Washington DC.

"This visit will further cement India-USA friendship and boost ties in diverse sectors. I warmly recall working with President Trump during his first term and I am sure our talks will build on the ground covered then," he said at the onset of the journey.

This will be PM Modi's first visit to the US after Donald Trump assumed office in January this year after coming back to power for a historic second term.

Visit amid deportation of Indians

The visit also comes amid a massive row in India over the deportation of 104 Indian migrants recently who were chained and handcuffed during the process and the entire 24-hour flight.

Opposition leaders have slammed the Modi government over the way the deportation has been carried out.

AI Action Summit

Modi and several other world leaders, apart from tech CEOs, have assembled in Paris to attend the AI Action Summit which will begin on Tuesday.

The summit, which was previously held in the UK and South Korea, aims to collectively establish scientific foundations, solutions and standards for more sustainable AI working for collective progress and in the public interest.

India is co-chairing the Paris Summit.